CLFI strengthens partnerships across Western Visayas

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By Rhea B. Peñaflor

Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc. (CLFI) continues to deepen its commitment to nation-building through strategic partnerships across Western Visayas.

Guided by the pillars of inclusive education, financial inclusion, community development, and disaster resilience, CLFI has formalized important collaborations with the Municipality of Concepcion, the Iloilo City Government, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office VI.

Together, these alliances form a unified movement that opens doors to learning, livelihood, and resilience for Filipino families.

A major milestone this year is the partnership with DSWD Field Office VI.

The memorandum of understanding between the national government agency and CLFI strengthens the region’s capability to deliver more accessible and integrated social welfare services.

Through this collaboration, CLFI is providing financial literacy sessions to equip families with practical knowledge on managing resources and building financial confidence.

Online learning modules and educational materials will also be deployed to support continuous learning, especially for communities with limited access to formal education.

CLFI’s Cebuana Alerto campaign will likewise be rolled out in DSWD-assisted localities to promote disaster readiness and community-level preparedness.

DSWD Field Office VI complements these efforts by coordinating directly with partner communities and ensuring that CLFI’s programs align with ongoing social welfare initiatives.

The agency’s role is vital in mobilizing beneficiaries, integrating support systems, and strengthening on-the-ground implementation of the Sustainable Livelihood Program under the DSWD-CLFI partnership.

Through DSWD’s regional networks and technical guidance, the partnership widens the reach of financial education, community empowerment, and disaster resilience efforts throughout Western Visayas.

In Concepcion, Iloilo, CLFI strengthened its partnership with the local government through an MOU signing and the turnover of ICT equipment for Alternative Learning System learners at Concepcion Central School.

This initiative expands digital access and supports inclusive education for out-of-school youth and adult learners.

Financial literacy sessions are underway in Concepcion to guide families in managing savings, accessing financial services, and protecting their livelihoods.

Community development efforts also continue, including the creation of livelihood opportunities for ALS graduates and entrepreneurship pathways for women’s organizations and the Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Paternal Abilities group.

With support from DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program, beneficiaries in Concepcion are being linked to government programs that complement CLFI’s interventions and enhance their income-earning capacity.

In Iloilo City, CLFI, represented by Executive Director Jo-Ann Tacorda, formalized another significant partnership through an MOU with the city government led by Mayor Raisa Treñas.

The collaboration supports the institutionalization of financial literacy in schools and communities, and the foundation recently conducted a training of trainers for student leaders of Iloilo City Community College.

The city is exploring the integration of the #LahatKasama financial literacy modules into its curriculum to ensure long-term learning continuity.

CLFI is also expanding micro-credentialing opportunities for out-of-school youth to help strengthen their employability and entrepreneurial readiness.

The city government has expressed interest in exploring Cebuana Lhuillier microinsurance solutions for its disaster responders and volunteers, recognizing the importance of protection for those who serve on the front lines.

Future discussions also point to supporting MSMEs through financial education and business continuity solutions.

“Financial inclusion is most powerful when it is lived at the barangay level, embedded in schools, and felt by Filipino families,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, president and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.

“Through our partnership with DSWD Field Office VI and our collaborations with the Iloilo City Government and the Municipality of Concepcion, we are aligning education, livelihood, and social protection so communities can stand on their own and thrive.”

From Concepcion’s coastal communities to Iloilo City’s dynamic urban centers, and with the regional expertise of DSWD Field Office VI, these partnerships reflect a shared vision for a Western Visayas where every Filipino is financially capable, future-ready, and resilient.

As CLFI continues to expand its reach, the foundation remains committed to working hand in hand with national agencies and local governments to ensure that learning opportunities, livelihood programs, and resilience efforts are accessible to the people who need them most.

Together, we move forward with the belief that when communities are empowered, progress becomes possible for everyone.

Lahat Kasama.

Lahat Kaya.

The author is the Programs and Development Division head of Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc. (CLFI).