PHINMA Education’s Laguna Network has partnered with local microfinance institution Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI) to bring accessible, quality education to underserved students in Laguna and neighboring provinces.

In a statement, PHINMA Education said its Laguna Network, which includes Rizal College of Laguna (PHINMA RCL) and Union College of Laguna (PHINMA UCL), will be offering its Flex and RAD Learning programs in these areas.

“PHINMA Education has always been guided by the mission of making lives better through education. We believe that the underserved youth of the Philippines have the potential to build a better nation, if they are equipped with the skills and values to do so,” said PHINMA President and CEO Ramon R. del Rosario Jr.

He added that, “The partnership we are formalizing focuses on the underserved students in Laguna and its neighboring provinces.” According to CARD MRI Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, the partnership will allow PHINMA RCL and UCL students to benefit from CARD MRI’s loan programs, internships and employment opportunities.

“We are also looking forward to CARD MRI’s members and their children, as well as employees, to study in PHINMA Education schools and be able to avail the HK50 scholarship. With our significant experience in microfinance, we will give our inputs on the BS BA Major in Banking and Microfinance curriculum, among others,” he said.

PHINMA Education has molded scholars in nine schools across the country to notch high licensure examination rates and even higher employment rates. Students credit the program for helping them with learning challenges amid a global pandemic.

"When I learned classes wouldn't be face to face, I thought I would need to stop because I would not be able to keep up. But when PHINMA RCL offered RAD Learning, it gave me hope," said Clarence Balonzo, a BS Education Major in Filipino student.

PHINMA Education caters to first-generation college students who would otherwise not be able to afford private education.

Philippine Country Head Dr. Raymundo P. Reyes explained, “Our learning strategies, especially during the pandemic, takes into account their resources at home. Because of weak or no internet connectivity, we opted for printed modules with remote coaching through mobile data and devices.”

In S.Y. 20-21, PHINMA RCL’s students hailed from Laguna, Quezon, Batangas, and other neighboring areas.

PHINMA Education has an 80 percent average first-time passing rate for licensure exams with some 82 percent of students getting hired within a year of graduation. It has had 104 board exam topnotchers since its inception in 2004.

The Laguna Network will offer several high-employability programs like Criminology, Accounting, Business Administration, and Education and provide a number of Hawak Kamay (HK) scholarships to qualified students.

“Because of this partnership with CARD MRI, the potential of making lives better is greatly amplified. We are happy to have you with us as we put the underserved students first, ensuring that our shared mission for this new partnership will positively impact lives. Let us learn together, grow together, and make lives better together,” del Rosario Jr. said.