gensan inaug

The Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines (AAIIBP) recently inaugurated
its General Santos Branch at JMP Building, South Osmeña St., General Santos City. The
occasion was well-attended by important guests from the business sector and government
agencies. Top officials of the bank also graced the occasion.

Instead of the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon, untying of malong was the main event with
no less than the Hon. City Mayor Darlene Magnolia Antonino-Custodio and singer-actress
Dionisia Pacquiao leading the ceremony. This was signaled by the banging of the agong.
Assisting the ladies were SEVP Armando O. Samia, Chairman and CEO of AAIIBP and Mr.
Michael Bren Evangelio, Chief of Staff, Congressional District of Sarangani Province who
stood in lieu of Cong. Emmanuel Pacquiao.

Aside from Chairman Samia of AAIIBP, SVP Jose Gonzaga, Jr., Head of Team Branches and
Dir. Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, of AAIIBP Board were also present along with officers from
the Makati Executive Office. Chairman Samia also unveiled the Marker of the bank's Mission
and Vision Statement and delivered his inspirational message. He stressed that Amanah
Islamic Bank is now actively introducing Islamic financing in the country where the focus
is on the development of Mindanao and its people.

The occasion was highlighted by the presence of DBP Officers and staff, personalities from
the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI, GSCCCI, and SCCI), Heads of big
universities in the city, Chair of Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East-Asian Growth
Area (BIMP EAGA) as well as businessmen from General Santos and Koronadal Cities.

The Muslim community was also well-represented by Heads of the National Commission on
Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Muslim Business Forum (MBF), Muslim Women of General
Santos (MUWOGEN) and Halal Consumer Watch.

It can be recalled that AAIIBP is now controlled by the state-owned Development Bank of
the Philippines (DBP). The new management has invested for the repackaging of the bank
through refurbishing of new and bigger offices with on-line facilities, re-staffing, and
opening of its leading windows focusing on Islamic financing as an alternative way of
banking.

AAIIBP has 8 branches in Mindanao and 1 in Makati City where the Executive Office is
located while the Business Center is in Cagayan de Oro City.