Microfinance Focus, July 24, 2012: The AlalaySaKaunlaran, Inc. (ASKI), a Philippine based development organization was awarded the first Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Award for Outstanding Achievement in Social Performance by OikoCredit Southeast Asia in a simple ceremony held in Manila, recently. According to OikoCredit, the ESG awards are given to recognize their selected partners who have consistently exhibited exceptional institutional accomplishments in social performance.

ASKI is a member of the SPM Peer Learning Network organized by Microfinance Council of the Philippines. In 2009, ASKI received a social rating of A- from an international rating agency specializing in microfinance and rural finance. ASKI also received the certification from Grameen Foundation for its compliance in the basic, advanced, and tracking over time standards in its Progress Out of Poverty Index (PPI) use.

Aside from the plaque, ASKI received USD10,000 cash prize. The ASKI Skills and Knowledge Institute plans to conduct more trainings on social performance to utilize the award, said an official from ASKI.