Sagay City in Negros Occidental is eyeing to transform Purok Bougainvillea in Barangay Old Sagay into a creative village to help capacitate the coastal community in producing local arts and crafts to boost the sustainable income of its community savings groups.

The plan seeks to integrate creative industries into its livelihood programs after the Bougainvillea Community Savings Association (BOCSA) gathered PHP1.756 million in community funds from small weekly contributions and shared the amount among its 199 members last December.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva lauded the community-managed savings and credit association (COMSCA) of Purok Bougainvillea.

“Community-led initiatives can create lasting change when people work together with discipline and trust. Even small contributions can grow into something that uplifts the entire community,” he added.

Cueva said the experience of Barangay Old Sagay shows how community-managed savings can strengthen grassroots leadership and build financial resilience from within.

Based on COMSCA records, the total savings of PHP1.756 million was generated by BOSCA 1, BOCSA 1 Junior, BOCSA 2, BOCSA 3, BOCSA 4, BOCSA 4 Junior, and BOCSA 5.

Each group has 21 to 32 members.

The initiative began with the Bougainvillea Sikad Guides Association, who took part in two years of savings as part of the sustainability framework of Sagay City tourism program.

Using their savings, each BOCSA group conducted outreach programs within their community, such as rebuilding a neighbor’s house and conducting clean-up drives.

BOSCA members also attended a training of trainers conducted by start-up development consulting company Engaging and Empowering Nation Builders in Learning, Research, and Social Entrepreneurship.

Through this, they can help replicate the community savings scheme in other puroks and barangays in the northern Negros city.

“Purok Bougainvillea is now considered the pilot community for COMSCA in Sagay City,” Old Sagay village chief Rogelio Sayam said, adding that through the COMSCA, members rely less on barangay assistance because they have pooled savings.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Henrik Ollano said the COMSCA initiative is a “scratch-to-riches” model that empowers communities through self-help.

“This is a good tool for our communities and we hope to replicate this with the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and implement this city-wide,” he added.

Ollano said with the COMSCA, young people are also taught the value of money and saving early through junior saver groups. (PNA)