NUBE-IFO and KFIF renew MOA for Payatas Training and Livelihood Center union social responsibility project
A new memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed on 25 September 2025 between the National Union of Bank Employees – Insurance and Finance Organizations (NUBE-IFO) and the Korean Financial Industry Foundation (KFIF) marks the 4th cycle of the Payatas Training and Livelihood Center (PTLC) union social responsibility project in the Philippines. The ceremony, held at the KFIF office in Seoul, was witnessed by officials from KFIF, NUBE-IFO, and the Korea Finance Industry Union (KFIU).
NUBE-IFO was represented by:
- Rainier Cruz, National President
- Ignacio Magat, Chair of the Board
- Bernadette Cabodil, Assistant Treasurer
- Josue Grajo, Payatas Project Manager
KFIF was represented by:
- Joo Wan, President
- Park Junbum, Secretary General
- Lee Jiyoon, Project Planning Team Head
- Heo Naun, Project Planning Team Manager
UNI Global Union affiliates and officers present included:
- Kim Jin Hong, Executive Vice President, KFIU
- Choi Jae Young, Chairman, Political Committee, KFIU
- Shim Gyu Hyun, International Affairs Director, KFIU
- Shin Ki Young, Director, KFIU
- Choi Jungsik, UNI KLC Secretary General
- Michelle Belino, UNI Apro Director for Women and MEI
Project objectives
According to NUBE-IFO, the renewal reflects the trust and confidence placed in the program’s mission. The fourth cycle will focus on sustainability and economic empowerment, creating decent and humane sources of income for residents to reduce reliance on scavenging.
The project will also continue to emphasize education and skills development, equipping participants with practical training that can be translated into livelihoods. By addressing root causes of poverty through family income support and lawful employment, the initiative also aims to help reduce child labour.
NUBE-IFO President Rainier Cruz said:
“This agreement reflects a shared commitment to empower communities and safeguard the future of children by addressing the root causes of poverty and unemployment.”
KFIF President Joo Wan added:
“On behalf of KFIF, I appreciate NUBE-IFO’s efforts in implementing the Payatas Project over the last three years and reaffirm our strong commitment to this union social responsibility project. Poverty reduction and employability for vulnerable people are also at the heart of our foundation’s mission.”
First exchange between NUBE-IFO and KFIU
The signing also coincided with the first official visit of NUBE-IFO to KFIU, where both unions held an Educational Exchange Program to share best practices in workforce development, financial literacy, and social protection programs.
UNI Asia & Pacific Regional Secretary Rajendra Acharya commended the developments:
“I am extremely pleased to see the solidarity extended by KFIF to the Payatas project. I am also very heartened to see the first official exchange visit between our affiliates, NUBE-IFO and KFIU. On behalf of UNI Apro, I extend our appreciation and support for the fourth cycle of the project. I also hope that stakeholders—from policymakers and financial institutions to nonprofit organizations—will be encouraged to adopt a similar collaborative framework between NUBE-IFO, KFIF, and KFIU.”
Background of the Payatas Training and Livelihood Center (PTLC)
The Payatas Training and Livelihood Center union social responsibility project was borne out of the landmark collaboration between UNI Asia & Pacific Regional Organization (UNI Apro) and KFIF first formalized through an MOA on 24 August 2022. That agreement enabled KFIF to coordinate with UNI Apro in supporting NUBE-IFO to establish a vocational training centre in the Payatas community in the Philippines. The centre was officially launched on 22 November 2022. Since then, it has expanded its programs. A delegation from KFIF, KFIU, and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) visited in February 2025, following the renewal of a third-cycle MOA in 2024.
The original press release can be found here: https://uniglobalunion.org/news/moa-for-ptlc-renew/
