Remegia L. Balucio
Managing Director
Socio-Economic Development Program Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SEDP MPC) PILI Project
Legazpi City

For 63-year-old Remegia L. Balucio, Managing Director of the Socio-Economic Development Program Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SEDP MPC) in Legazpi City, retirement is not the end but rather the start of more opportunities to follow her passion and support a cause that will benefit her community. 

An AB Economics and Master’s Degree in Financial Management holder, Balucio practiced her profession with the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), a non-government organization (NGO) that promotes sustainable agriculture in rural communities in Tabaco City before joining the SEDP-Simbag sa Pag-Asenso, Inc., a microfinance NGO, which started out as a Socio-Economic Development Program of the Social Action Center, the social development arm of the Diocese of Legazpi where she worked for 30 years.  

“Dito ko nakita kung paano tumulong sa mga marginalized kasi as a church-based institution, ang pangunahing trabaho talaga ng Social Action Center at ng SEDP ay tulungan ‘yung mga mahihirap at ‘yung mga nasa laylayan. Gusto namin na hindi lang sa spiritual component ng trabaho ng simbahan  kundi hanggang  sa social development. Tumagal ako dito dahil nakikita ko ang sarli ko bilang parte  na makakatulong para ma-realize ang mission and vision ng institution na ito,” she said. 

In 2011, after her assignment as Operations Director of SEDP Microfinance, she was assigned as Executive Director of the Socio-Economic Development Program Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SEDP MPC), a subsidiary of the SEDP-Simbag sa Pag-Asenso Inc. This cooperative is tasked to provide micro entrepreneurs primarily women with product development assistance, mentoring and training services, and market access to establish a one-stop shop for their rural enterprises.

After retirement in 2021, she decided to accept the role as Managing Director of the Socio-Economic Development Program Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SEDP MPC) PILI Project. This project aimed at providing livelihood to pili farmers and processors, set up a processing facility that will benefit the beneficiaries, and generate at least 20 percent additional income.

Balucio competently, effectively, and graciously leads the SEDP MPC in securing a P58.52 million-worth funding for the People-Centered Innovation and Livelihood Integration (PILI) Project, a proposed enterprise under the Department of Agriculture Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Scale-Up. The proposed rural enterprise development (I-REAP) subproject to be established in Brgy. Anislag Daraga, Albay in collaboration with its cluster members, Sandigan Cooperative and the PILCASOR (Pilar, Castilla and Sorsogon) Cooperative will focus on processing pili pulp oil and pili confectioneries. It is also envisioned to serve as the learning, resource and social enterprise center for pili in Albay. 

“Itong SEDP MPC PILI Project, para ito sa mga pili farmers and pili processors. Ang gusto ng PILI Project na ito na matulungan ‘yung mga pili farmers. 95 percent of our members are women kasi tinutulungan namin na makapagnegosyo ang mga kababaihan para hindi sila maging dependent sa kanilang mga asawa or makatulong sila sa pamilya sa pamamagitan ng pagnenegosyo. I hope na itong PRDP Project ng Department of Agriculture ay mas makatulong sa mga kababaihan dahil ito ay isang pamamaraan para patuloy na ma-equip ang kanilang kakayahan mula sa social, spiritual hanggang sa economic aspect ng kanilang pang-araw-araw na buhay,” she said. 

Balucio is an epitome of an outstanding woman farmer-leader whose grit, wisdom, and vision can ignite the transformation of the pili industry in Bicol region. #