In the quiet, agriculturally-rich town of Ronda in southwestern Cebu, a powerful community initiative is transforming lives by tackling financial exclusion head-on. The Community-Managed Savings and Credit Association (COMSCA) is empowering beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to take control of their economic futures.
A Grassroots Solution to Financial Challenges
Despite the town's serene landscape, many families in Ronda have long struggled with limited access to reliable financial services for saving and borrowing. In response, a collaborative effort between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and World Vision gave rise to COMSCA. This program provides a structured platform for families to pool resources, manage communal funds, and support each other's development.
The COMSCA journey in Ronda began in 2009 and was formally organized across all 14 barangays of the municipality in 2011 with support from DSWD field staff. Over the years, it has evolved into a robust self-help network that strengthens both financial resilience and community solidarity.
Structure and Impact of the Community Fund
Each COMSCA group typically consists of 15 to 30 members who make regular contributions to a collective fund. This fund then serves as a source for members to borrow money at low interest rates, a critical feature that shields them from predatory lenders.
The association plays a vital role in helping the community navigate emergencies and fund important endeavors. Key uses of the fund include:
- Covering medical expenses during illness.
- Financing educational costs for children.
- Providing seed capital to start or expand small livelihoods.
This communal safety net allows families to address sudden financial needs promptly without falling into debt traps.
Building Financial Literacy for Long-Term Growth
Beyond providing access to capital, World Vision complements the COMSCA structure with essential capacity-building. Beneficiaries receive training in:
- Effective budgeting
- Basic financial management
- Accurate record-keeping
This knowledge equips families to make more informed decisions, plan for the future, and handle their finances responsibly.
Marysol Guinaras, a 4Ps beneficiary from Barangay Poblacion, Ronda, shared her experience: "Through COMSCA, we learned how to save and manage our finances. It's a big help in times of emergency. Before, we had no means of borrowing money without high interest. Now, we can borrow from our group with confidence that we can also pay on time."
Beyond Finances: Ripples of Positive Change
The benefits of COMSCA extend far beyond individual bank accounts. The program has fostered noticeable improvements in the broader community:
Children's school attendance has become more consistent, families are better able to afford healthcare, and local entrepreneurial activity has increased. The initiative demonstrates that with the right support and tools, 4Ps beneficiaries are not merely surviving—they are actively progressing and building a more resilient and united community for generations to come.
The recent gathering of parent leaders from Ronda's 14 barangays for a COMSCA Congress in Barangay Palanas stands as a testament to the program's enduring vitality and the continued commitment of its members to mutual aid and collective advancement.
