AR puts up ‘mini ATM’ in remote Cotabato village

FARMERS and other residents of New Leon, a remote barangay in Aleosan, North Cotabato, can now pay online or obtain cash, without going out of their barangay. The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has facilitated the installation of a point-of-sale (POS) terminal machine for the New Leon Multi-purpose Cooperative (MPC).

The installation of the POS machine was made possible through the partnership of the DAR with the Philippine Federation of Credit Cooperatives-manila Lead (PFCCO-ML).

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Charish M. Paña congratulated the management of the New Leon MPC for the recent feat and milestone of the cooperative.

A farmer can withdraw cash from the POS machine a maximum of P10,000 per transaction but can do it five times to withdraw a maximum amount of P50,000, it was learned.

Paña expressed gratitude to the PFCCO-ML “for being our partner in providing the technology and capacity development interventions for the smooth and efficient operation of the New Leon MPC.”

The newly created service line also enabled the New Leon MPC to accept automated teller machine (ATM) withdrawals, which would ease local residents and neighboring barangays from going to nearby municipalities just to withdraw money from an ATM.

Cooperative Manager Roland Lemana said members and non-members of the coop would definitely save more or less P200 ($3.55 at current exchange rates) in their transportation expenses from going out of the barangay just to withdraw money in an ATM.

Lemana said the residents could have peace of mind they have access to cash, especially in times of emergency.