07/10/2026
Today, October 7, 2026, the SRA Tolong MD had conducted the 1st day of Financial Literacy Training for the farmer members of MAGARBFAI at Brgy. Tayawan, Bayawan City.
Different topics and activities were presented by the resource persons and performed by the participants, to include:
1. Filipino Values- discussed by Mr. Joemar Sausi, this module centered on the core Filipino values that serve as the foundation for sound financial management and responsible livelihood practices. Mr. Sausi explained that financial success is deeply connected to one’s character and attitude toward work, money, and obligations. Following the discussion, an interactive activity was facilitated by Ms. Anabelle Guarin, Vhea Denise Candido, Twelve Bert Abordo and Julieto Abina, where participants reflected on their own personal values and explored how these can be applied in their daily farming operations, financial decisions, and interactions within their association and community.
2. Financial Literacy Overview- also presented by Mr. Joemar Sausi, this session provided a comprehensive introduction to financial literacy and its vital role in the lives of sugarcane farmers and small business owners. He defined financial literacy as the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed and effective decisions regarding the use and management of money. Mr. Sausi covered the basic concepts of income, expenses, savings, debt, and investment, highlighting common financial challenges faced by farmers such as irregular cash flow, high production costs, and lack of proper budgeting. He stressed that being financially literate empowers them to plan ahead, prepare for emergencies, reduce unnecessary spending, and ultimately improve their household income and quality of life. The module set the tone for the training, making it clear that financial management is just as important as good farm production practices.
3. Business Cycle- facilitated by Mr. Julieto Abina, this module explained the concept of the business cycle and how it applies specifically to the sugarcane farming industry. He broke down the different stages of the cycle- from planning and production, to harvesting, marketing, and sales and explained how each stage affects cash flow, costs, and profit. Understanding the business cycle helps farmers time their investments, manage their expenses properly, and ensure that they have enough funds to sustain their operations throughout the year, even during off-season periods.
4. Crop Portfolio- discussed by Mr. Twelve Bert Abordo, this module focused on the concept of a crop portfolio- guiding farmers on how to assess, manage, and diversify their farm resources and production activities to maximize income and minimize risks. He explained that a well-planned crop portfolio involves understanding the costs involved in farming, identifying potential sources of revenue, and balancing investments to ensure profitability.
To make the lesson practical and engaging, a creative activity titled “Punongkahoy ng Gastos at Kita” (Tree of Expenses and Income) was conducted, facilitated by Ms. Anabelle Guarin and Ms. Vhea Denise. In this activity, participants drew a tree where the roots represented their income, the trunk symbolized the name of their business, and the branches detailed all sources of expenses. The final output of the activity were presented by their groups reported.Through this visual exercise, farmers were able to clearly map out where their money comes from and where it goes, helping them identify which costs are necessary, which ones can be reduced, and how to strengthen their income streams for a more stable and profitable farming business.
