A simple system of small weekly contributions grew into a P1.75 million community fund as 199 members of the Community-Managed Savings and Credit Association (COMSCA) in Purok Bougainvilla, Barangay Old Sagay demonstrated the power of collective discipline, a press release from Sagay PIO said.
The milestone was highlighted during “Sinadya sa COMSCA” held from December 20 to 22 at C Chen Beach Resort, where accumulated savings from seven (BOCSA) groups was formally shared among members.
COMSCA records showed a total savings of P1,756,536 generated by BOSCA 1, BOCSA 1 Jr., BOCSA 2, BOCSA 3, BOCSA 4, BOCSA 4 Jr., and BOCSA 5, with group memberships ranging from 21 to 32 members.
It started with the Bougainvillea Sikad Guides Association who endured two years of savings as part of the sustainability framework of the Sagay City Tourism program.
Sagay Mayor Leo Rafael “Bebo” Cueva said the achievement proves that community-led initiatives can create lasting change when people work together with discipline and trust.
“This shows that when people are united and consistent, even small contributions can grow into something that uplifts the entire community,” Cueva said.
Cueva added that the Old Sagay experience shows how community-managed savings can strengthen grassroots leadership and build financial resilience from within.
With their savings, each BOCSA group has conducted outreach programs within their community like rebuilding a house of a neighbor, clean-up drives, among others.
Old Sagay Brgy. Captain Rogelio Sayam said Purok Bougainvillea is now considered the pilot community for COMSCA in Sagay City.
Sayam said the savings initiative helps ease governance challenges in a barangay with nearly 19,000 registered voters and one of the largest populations among Sagay’s 25 barangays.
He added that COMSCA lightens the burden on barangay assistance programs because members rely less on emergency assistance due to their pooled savings.
City Social Welfare and Development Officer Henrik Ollano described COMSCA as a “scratch-to-riches” model that empowers communities through self-help.
Ollano said the program also teaches young people the value of money and saving early through junior saver groups. He said this is a good tool for communities and hopes to replicate this to 4Ps and implement city-wide.
The Sagay City Information and Tourism Office, in partnership with Syano Artlink, CSWD, SUNN Hospitality, and Livelihood Consultant Agnes Iida, aims to transform Purok Bougainvillea into a ‘Creative Village.’ This initiative will help capacitate BOCSA groups to produce local arts and crafts, integrating creative industries into livelihood programs to boost the sustainable income of community saving groups.
Lorena Pasilan, a COMSCA leader from San Carlos City, Guadalupe Workers Active Parents Association (GWAPA) shared best practices and said the program helped keep children in school instead of working in farms due to improved household finances.
This savings program operates through small weekly contributions that are collectively saved and later shared out after 12 months.
It is a self- managed group, composed of 10 to 25 members that provide profitable microfinance services such as savings, credit and microinsurance to members, utilizing its own pooled financial resources.
It was a program developed by World Vision that was adapted by many NGO organizations.
After the savings distribution, members joined a Training of Trainers on Dec. 21 and 22 to help replicate the community savings scheme in other puroks and barangays conducted by ENABLRS, Carmela Jessica Corado co-founder and Managing Director and Paul Gerard Escoton, M&E Specialist.
ENABLRS or Engaging and Empowering Nation Builders in Learning, Research, and Social Entrepreneurship, A start-up development consulting company that brings together a team of humanitarian and development professionals with proven track records and hands-on implementation experience in various sectors.
Present also were Tourism and Info Officer Helen Cutillar, CSWD Officer III Ian Harold Mission, Consultant on Youth Development Vincent Dennis Rivera and Purok President Rodolfo Baloco.*
