RURAL Bank of Digos, Inc. (RBDI) president Giovanni Gabriento has been elected as the new president of the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP).
Gabriento was elected during the 64th RBAP National Convention and General Membership Meeting held at the Baguio Country Club, Baguio City last May 29 to 30, 2017. The event, which centered on the theme "Rural Banks: Leading the way for Countryside Development and Inclusive Growth," was attended by 526 rural bankers throughout the country.
Also present in the event are Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Managing Director Supervision and Examination Sub Sector III Restituto Cruz, Land Bank of the Philippines President Alex Buenaventura, Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara.
In his inaugural speech, he said he will strengthen the Rural Banking industry with the assistance of his three vice presidents from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to reach out to the different federations and confederations throughout the country.
Likewise, RBAP shall meet all the federations and confederation presidents.
With this, there is a direct and easy connection from the federation and national level.
He will instill and inculcate to the Millennials and Generation X the importance of succession and continuity. Succession is one major problem that RBs are facing.
At the end of his term, he hopes to see more stronger, stable, and significant rural banks that can be the voice in the countryside.
His Board of Directors are Mary Ann E.M. Tupasi, Vice President Luzon; Armida Caguitla, Vice President Visayas; Teresa Socorro Falgui, Vice President Mindanao; Albert Concha, Jr., Corporate Secretary; and Edgardo Valenzuela, Jr., Treasurer.
Other members of the Board are Richard Narvaez, Eugenio Puzon, Jr., John Dino Sawit Panganiban, Sergio Gesmundo, Jr. Emerito Ramos III, Ma. Cecilia Ubana, Roberto Abello, Lorenzo Veloso, Charles Hotchkiss.
Gabriento held various positions prior to his presidency at RBAP. He served RBAP for two years as VP–Mindanao and one year as Corporate Secretary.
He has been the President of Davao Federation of Rural Bankers, Inc. for seven years already. (PR)