DTI, CARD SEAL PARTNERSHIP FOR THE P3 MICRO-FINANCING PROGRAM. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez (2nd from L) and Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), Inc. Founder and Former Managing Director Jaime Aristotle Alip (center) officially inked (18 August) partnership for the Pondo para sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) program in Pasig City. DTI and CARD aligned their efforts to provide a community-based microfinancing scheme dedicated for the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). With a total of 2,601 offices all over 82 provinces, CARD is the biggest microfinancing institution (MFI) lending to over six million borrowers in the country. The newly formalized partnership between DTI and CARD will provide MSMEs the ease of access to financial support. CARD reported that it already took the initiative to disburse a total of PhP 77 million to 5,000 borrowers nationwide, ahead of the availability of the PhP 1 billion fund for the P3 program. Also in the meeting ceremony were Small Business Corporation President Bartholomew Brillo Reynes (leftmost), CARD Managing Director Flordeliza Sarmiento (2nd from R) and Executive Director Jocelyn Dequito (rightmost).