Microfinance lender BPI Direct BanKo Inc., A Savings Bank (BanKo), the microfinance arm of Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), is spotlighting the growing role of Filipino mothers in driving grassroots entrepreneurship and local economic activity.

Among them is Madelyn Nayre of Barangay Matam-is, Baybay City, Leyte province, who transformed a small sari-sari store into a growing enterprise that now includes lumber trading and construction materials supply.

For more than two decades, Nayre balanced raising three children with building a livelihood alongside her husband, Ranilo.

Starting with a modest home-based sari-sari store, she gradually expanded her operations with the help of financing from BanKo.

Her first loan worth ₱50,000 was used to increase store inventory. As her customer base expanded, she secured a second loan amounting to ₱200,000, which she invested in a lumber trading business.

To improve logistics and delivery capacity, Nayre later acquired a mini dump truck to support customer orders and distribution.

Today, she operates LYNLYN Sari-Sari Store and MAUI Cocolumber and Furniture Trading from a permanent site in Barangay Imelda.

Her businesses now employ 15 workers and serve as a supplier of lumber products in Baybay and nearby municipalities.

She has also expanded into hollow block trading as part of efforts to diversify her operations and strengthen her presence in the local construction supply market.

According to BanKo, Nayre’s businesses have also helped improve her family’s quality of life, allowing her to continuously support the education of her three children, who are currently in Grades 11, 9, and 6.

“Hindi lang negosyo ang naitayo namin, kundi isang mas maayos na kinabukasan para sa aming pamilya,” Nayre said.

“Bilang isang ina, ang pinakaimportante sa akin ay ang maitaguyod ang pangarap ng aking mga anak,” she added.

BanKo said its NegosyoKo loan products, which range from ₱5,000 to ₱500,000, are designed to help microentrepreneurs start, sustain, and expand their businesses.

In 2025 alone, BanKo disbursed more than ₱23.7 billion in loans, supporting grassroots enterprises and local economic activity across the country.

Since 2016, the lender has assisted more than 400,000 entrepreneurs nationwide.

According to BanKo, women account for 68 percent of its borrowers, many of whom are mothers running small businesses to support their families.

“Sa likod ng bawat umuunlad na negosyo ay isang kuwento ng sakripisyo, tiyaga, at pagmamahal—mga katangiang tunay na sumasalamin sa napakaraming nanays,” said Rod Mabiasen Jr., president of BanKo.

“At BanKo, we are proud to support these women by providing them with the financial tools they need to grow their businesses and uplift their families. We celebrate the strength, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of mothers who are paving the way for a better future for the next generation,” he added.

BanKo said it continues to focus on expanding financial inclusion by helping more Filipinos gain access to financing for small businesses and livelihood opportunities.