KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — M&T Consultants, Islamic Co., a Philippine-based Islamic finance advisory and capacity development firm, received the WOMANi Excellence Award for Islamic Finance Capacity Building & Training 2026 during the WOMANi Programme held today in Kuala Lumpur.
M&T co-founders Mohammad Zidni Marohombsar and Hamodi Lao Tiboron were joined by Vice Consul Patricia Anne G. Laggui and Attaché Clarissa Marie G. Villamor of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Kuala Lumpur at the ceremony, sending a strong expression of support as M&T marked this international milestone in its efforts to advance Islamic finance, women’s economic participation, and inclusive development in the Philippines.
Presented by WOMANi, an international recognition platform developed by United Kingdom-based Cambridge International Financial Advisory (IFA), the award highlights M&T’s efforts to translate Islamic finance knowledge into practical opportunities for professionals, institutions, entrepreneurs, and communities.
Among M&T’s initiatives is the Women Empowerment Facility (WEF), a Shari’ah-compliant financing program supporting women entrepreneurs and women transitioning from former combatant roles into productive civilian livelihoods.
The WEF was launched in 2025 as part of the Accelerate Bangsamoro Project of The Asia Foundation, with support from the Australian Government. It was piloted in partnership with the League of Moro Women Organization Inc. (LMWOI) and Universal Storefront Services Corporation (USSC), with M&T developing its Shari’ah framework and supporting its continuing enhancement and scale-up.
“Alhamdulillah, this recognition affirms that capacity building can open pathways for women to become active participants in the Islamic economy, as entrepreneurs, cooperative leaders, programme implementers, and partners in peacebuilding,” said Hamodi Lao Tiboron, Managing Partner of M&T Consultants, Islamic Co.
“We receive this not only as an institutional milestone, but as an opportunity to bring greater international visibility to the women and communities behind our work. The more meaningful recognition belongs to the women who are rebuilding livelihoods, strengthening their enterprises, and helping sustain peace and development in the Bangsamoro,” he added.
The recognition comes as the Philippines continues to strengthen its Islamic finance ecosystem under Republic Act No. 11439 and deepen regional cooperation during its 2026 ASEAN Chairship. It also demonstrates the potential of locally developed Bangsamoro initiatives to contribute inclusive models to the wider ASEAN and global Islamic finance community.
M&T expressed its appreciation to the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia, its women and community partners, implementing organisations, development partners, regulators, lecturers, consultants, and Philippine and international institutions supporting the advancement of Islamic finance in the country.
