Last June 17-19, I had the privilege of welcoming participants to the first Mutual Microinsurance Network Seminar that was organized by the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF) Foundation under the leadership of President Sabbir Patel. Held in Makati City, the gathering brought together more than a hundred participants: microinsurance practitioners, policymakers, cooperatives and development partners from 36 organizations across 14 countries.

The seminar centered on the theme "Replicating Success Globally: Scaling the Mutual Microinsurance Model for the Poorest." At a time when climate-related disasters and economic uncertainty continue to threaten vulnerable communities, the discussion could not have been more relevant.

For CARD Mutual Benefit Association (CARD MBA), hosting this international gathering was both an honor and a testament to what can be achieved when financial services are designed with the poor at the center. For more than three decades, we have worked to demonstrate that insurance can be made accessible, affordable, and meaningful for low-income families.

Today, our model serves millions of Filipinos, most of them women who carry the responsibility of supporting their families and managing household finances. Their trust has enabled us to prove that insurance can indeed be "from the poor, by the poor, and for the poor." What began as a simple mechanism for mutual support among microfinance clients has evolved into one of the largest mutual microinsurance programs in the world.

A key factor behind the growth of microinsurance in the Philippines has been the strong support of regulators. Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo Regalado graced the event, highlighting the importance of supportive regulatory frameworks in expanding financial protection to underserved sectors.

Mr. Edwine Carrie, Deputy Resident Representative of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-Philippines, emphasized the partnership between UNDP and the ICMIF Foundation in advancing inclusive insurance. Meanwhile, Ms. Aditi Singh of the Microinsurance Network provided an overview of the global microinsurance landscape and opportunities for expansion.

A key milestone was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between CARD MBA and CIC Insurance Group in Kenya and Malawi, opening the door for the adaptation of our microinsurance model in Africa. CARD MBA has already shared its technology and expertise with partners in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia, while others in Mozambique, Paraguay, Timor Leste, and Myanmar have likewise expressed strong interest in learning from the Philippine experience.

During the session on scaling mutual microinsurance through the UNDP-ICMIF Insurance Innovation Challenge Fund, Michael Mugo of CIC Insurance-Kenya discussed how mobile technology and cooperative networks are helping reduce costs and expand access. Zachary Wambugu of Cooperative Life Assurance in Malawi highlighted the challenges of building trust and financial literacy in low-income rural communities. Jun Jay Perez of MIMAP/Rimansi shared how Philippine mutual benefit associations (MBAs) have successfully scaled through partnerships with microfinance institutions. Moderated by Diana Almoro of UNDP-IRRF Thailand, the discussion focused on both the successes and challenges of implementing microinsurance programs.

I attended the Panel discussion with Dr. Nelson Kuria of CIC Insurance Group and MP Vasimalai of India's DHAN Foundation, on the key drivers of success in delivering impactful and sustainable mutual microinsurance. Moderated by Dr. Ma Piedad Geron, our discussion group emphasized that successful replication requires adapting proven principles to local realities, leveraging technology, and building trust through community leadership.

On the second day, focus shifted to the CARD MBA blueprint moderated by Ms. Jane Manucdoc. Led by CEO Jocelyn Dequito, Senior Operations Director Oliver Reyes, and Compliance Director Jennifer Redublo, with CARD Inc. Executive Director Vicente Briones Jr., the session underscored the pillars of microinsurance MBA’s success: strong member engagement through the CARD network, swift claims settlement, grassroots women’s leadership, and a sustainable model that delivers affordable protection while ensuring financial strength.

As I reflected on those three days, I was struck by how far our journey has come. What started as a local response to the vulnerabilities faced by poor Filipino families is now attracting global attention. The idea that low-income communities can organize, protect one another, and build sustainable insurance institutions is no longer an experiment. It is a proven model.

The challenge before us now is to ensure that this model reaches more communities across the world.

Financial inclusion is not complete when people gain access to loans or savings accounts. It becomes meaningful when families are protected from the shocks that can erase years of progress. Mutual microinsurance provides that protection. It transforms uncertainty into resilience and vulnerability into hope.

The work ahead remains immense, but the direction is clear. By sharing lessons across continents and adapting successful models to local realities, we can build a future where financial protection is not a privilege reserved for a few, but a right accessible to all.

That is the promise of mutual microinsurance. And that is a promise worth taking from the Philippines to the world.

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“Mutual insurers are uniquely placed to scale solutions that are rooted in community trust and long-term resilience.” – Sabbir Patel