NATIONAL ANTI-POVERTY COMMISSION

Gov't Poverty Reduction Projects
PGMA'S 10-Point Agenda

Summaries of
Poorest of the Poor

	Microfinance Unit
	Microfinance Resources

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microfinance unit

Pursuant to the mandates stipulated in Title II of Republic Act 8425, the National Anti-Poverty Commission, through the Microfinance Unit (MFU), works toward the development of an enabling policy environment for the microfinance industry and ensure that microfinance services reach their target clientele -- the poor. Despite being in the infant stage, the MFU being created as a separate unit of the NAPC Secretariat only in June 2004 by virtue of Special Order No. 2004-22, the Unit has made remarkable gains in the monitoring, policy review, gender mainstreaming, replication of best practices and educating the poor in microfinance.

Technical Assistance on Enhancing Access of the Poor to Microfinance Services in Frontier Areas (TA 4544)

A technical assistance (TA) was made possible via grant support by the Asian Development Bank to increase access and efficiency of microfinance services for the poor in frontier areas that have little or no access to formal or semiformal financial services. Microfinance is recognized as the central strategy for poverty reduction in the Philippines under Republic Act 8425 or the Social Refort and Poverty Alleviation Act and is an important part of President Arroyo's 10-point agenda.

The purpose of the TA is to support the development of a sound and viable financial system that can provide efficient and sustainable microfinance services for the poor, enabling them to pursue economic opportunities and income-generating activities. The TA will provide (i) capacity building to microfinance institutions (MFIs) in frontier areas to increase skills and best practices in microfinance, and (ii) education for poor and low-income groups on microfinance services.

Four important activities were implemented under the technical assistance. These include the conduct of a Field Survey in Frontier Areas for MFIs and MFI clients, conduct of a series of Focus Group Discussions among members of the NAPC Basic Sectors, the administration of On-site Training and Mentoring among selected MFIs taking off from the PESO standards, and lastly the conduct of Microfinance Education Seminars for the Basic Sectors.

View TA 4544 Final Report
[instructions on how to download]

PESO Training Modules

Overview

Portfolio Quality

Efficiency

Sustainability

Outreach

Microfinance Seminar Materials

Overview of Philippine Microfinance Program

TA 4544 Background and Seminar Overview

Rights and Obligations of MFI Clients

Microfinance FAQs (English version, Filipino version)