USeP participates in the Philippines Economic Update (PEU) Development Dialogue of World Bank and MINDA last February 26, 2026

 

Microfinance and Poverty in the Philippines

           Microfinance is commonly associated with small, working capital loans that are invested in microenterprises or income-generating activities (Churchill and Frankiewicz, 2006). Such microenterprises are often family owned and have less than five employees, sometimes based out of the home, as for instance small retail kiosk, sewing workshops, carpentry shops and market stalls (Whole Planet Foundation, 2009). Today, however microfinance is referred to more generally as the provision of financial services to those excluded from the formal financial system (UNCDF, 2002). In the beginning the credits that were given to poor were called microcredits or micro-lending, but soon it became clear that also other financial services were used and needed by the poor which enlarged the microcredits to microfinance (Felder-Kuzu, 2005). Microfinance and microcredit are often used interchangeably, but it is important to highlight the difference between them because both terms are often confused. According to Sinha (1998), microcredit refers to small loans, whereas microfinance is appropriate to non- government organization (NGOs) and microfinance institutions (MFIs) who supplement loans with other financial services. Microcredit is a component of microfinance in that it involves providing credit to the poor, but microfinance also involves additional non-credit financial services such as savings, insurance, pension and payment services (Okiocredit, 2005).

Basic Economics Course for Non-Economist

The participants from NEDA-CARAGA Region with the speakers
during the closing ceremony last Dec. 13, 2013.

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) – CARAGA Region has partnered with the School of Applied Economics (SAEc) in its Professional Training Program for planners and policy makers through the Basic Economic Course last December 11-13, 2013 at the Goat2geder Hotel and Restaurant, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte. Thirty Four (34) participants attended, which is composed of technical and administrative staff of the agency.

Empowering leaders to help communities

Meeting with barangay officials

The School of Applied Economics (SAEc) has launched its Barangay Skills Enhancement and Development Program (BSEDP) in the first quarter of 2014, a five-year community extension program participated by SAEc faculty and students enrolled in Project Planning and Management. The program aims to assist barangay leaders in crafting their development plans and initiate projects that will help uplift the lives of their constituents. As of December 2014, we have assisted a total of seven (7) barangays in Davao City, namely: Bago Oshiro, Manuel Guianga, Daliaon Plantation, Sto. Niño, Tacunan, Los Amigos and Biao Joaquin.

Improving the data management in the barangays

Dr. Edgardo D. Cruz delivering his message to the
barangay participants last October 22, 2012. 

The barangay is considered to be the local government unit closest to the people in terms of access and proximity, its role in local service delivery cannot be undermined. Barangay leaders are key players in national development for they have highly significant roles in shaping the destiny of a community, as well as the city as a whole.

The barangay needs to incorporate in their development plan the activities that will improve the delivery of their services to their constituents. One important component in their service delivery is the proper management of their data and reports, in which, most of the barangay leaders and staff don’t have enough knowledge and skills in improving this endeavor.

To augment the lacking skills of barangay leaders and staff in data management, the School of Applied Economics (SAEc) has implemented its extension programs to the different barangays in Davao City.

A TABLET to improve the barangays in Davao City

The barangay is considered to be the local government unit closest to the people in terms of access and proximity, its role in local service delivery is very essential in the development of the community.  Leaders in the barangay are key players in national development for they have highly significant roles in shaping the future of the nation. Hence, empowerment of these leaders is one of the keystones in achieving progress.

With this important role in national development, barangay leaders should be properly equipped with the appropriate knowledge and skills in governing the community. Most of the barangay leaders lack the technical skills (i.e. technical writing, data management, project planning and evaluation, etc.) in serving their constituents. Given that barangay leaders are not experts (yet), supplementary materials and trainings are needed to improve their current abilities, for they are expected to efficiently and effectively serve their clienteles.

Let the Green be seen: Urban Greening Project in Davao City

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In support to the National Greening Program (Executive Order No. 26) of President Benigno S. Aquino III, the School of Applied Economics (SAEc) has initiated the Urban Greening Project in partnership with the Department Of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), - Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) East and Communal Elementary School. This executive order was issued ordering and declaring the implementation of a National Greening Program as a government priority. The program shall plant 1.5 billion trees covering about 1.5 million hectares by 2016.  

Davao Criminals: Your Life Ends Here!

"DAVAO CRIMINALS: YOUR LIFE ENDS HERE!" - Mayor Sara Duterte, Davao City

Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte checked the killed holdaper (TV Patrol South Mindanao)

With the recent crime incidents that had happen in Davao City, people are alarmed with their safety when walking in downtown area and walking late at night. But criminals now knows no time, the incident that had happen last February 18, 2012 at RGA Village, Paciano Bangoy, Marjorie G. Kwan, a registered nurse was robbed and shot four times by motorcycle-riding-thieves at 12:00nn, during broad daylight. It seems that these culprits do not consider time anymore as long as they need to robbed and held money from their victims. A motorcycle is an easy escape for them. Are we safe in Davao City? Even in broad daylight all of the citizens in Davao City are at risk in these petty crimes. Maybe the police should double their effort and be proactive in solving these consecutive crimes. 

The Cycle of Crime in Davao City

A lot of petty crimes that had happened in Davao recently, triggered the call of vigilantes (which is the so-called "DDS-Davao Death Squad) to kill the criminals. Consecutive crimes in the city committed by these thieves riding motorcycles , only proved that they are not afraid anymore with the police. These guys has been in and out of jail, and they keep on doing these crimes, because it is their livelihood. 

Source: http://www.treatmentnotjail.org

They cannot find formal jobs  because no one will trust and accept them. No one will ever give them a chance to change their lives.. They are left with no choice, but to keep doing what they used to do.... 

Poverty and lack of education made these guys, mostly teenagers, to become criminals. They do that in order to survive, and even if it is wrong, they still do it. Illiteracy among these guys made their conscience numb, forcing them to be immoral. 

One major factor why they also do these things is the lack of care and guidance from their parents. Parents should discipline their kids and love them unconditionally. These guys don't care anymore about their future, its because they are not inspired to move forward... to have a brighter future, a new life.... 

This problem has been their for ages, the police and the government should solve the root cause of the crime. What triggered these people to do that? What is the solution? The government should be proactive and initiate activities for young ones, so that at an early age they will know what's moral and immoral. The problem of crime cannot be solved overnight, if we keep on waiting for crimes to happen and not prevent them from doing that, we are always be trap in the "CYCLE OF CRIME".

A rainbow of hope for Sendong Victims

December 20, 2011 - Four days after the destructive typhoon "Sendong" that had shattered dreams and stolen the lives of our brothers and sisters, a rainbow appeared in Cagayan de Oro City, one of the worst affected cities in the aftermath of the flood. The rainbow reminded us of the covenant of God to Noah after the great flood that hit our planet (B.C., thousand years ago). 

Photo: Credit to Yeb Sano

Excerpts from the Holy Bible (NIV):

When the land is dry, God tells Noah to leave the ark, and Noah offers a sacrifice to God. God resolves never again to curse the Earth, "for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth." God grants to Noah and his sons the right to kill animals and eat their meat, but forbids meat which has not been drained of its blood. Blood is proclaimed to be sacred, and the unauthorised taking of life is prohibited: "For your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man...Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image." God then establishes his covenant with Noah and his sons and with all living things, and places a rainbow in the clouds, "the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth."

It's a sign for the survivors of the tragic flood that they should get back to the Lord and keep their faith in Him always. God has made a promise in Cagayan de Oro, that never again will the great flood hit the city of "Golden Friendship".

Help Sendong Typhoon Victims

Let us help the victims of Typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City. As of today, the death toll is estimated to be 900, a senior government official said, as cities prepared mass burials for the victims. The number of dead bodies is expected to rise even further as more floating bodies are recovered after sunrise, said Benito Ramos, head of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Authorities likened the impact of tropical storm Washi to Ketsana, one of the country's most devastating storms which dumped huge amounts of rain on Manila and other parts of the country in 2009, killing more than 460 people. (Reference Article from Teodoro Aljibe | AFP News) Visit  http://www.sendongrelief.org/ and donate.

12/09/11 - Shattered dreams in Magallanes Riverside Fire

December 09, 2011 - A day to remember in the lives of my family. Our dreams were shattered in just minutes and they were turned into ashes like dust in the wind that flown away and nowhere to be found. A tragic event that wounded our hearts and bewildered our plans in the future. Just because of a kid who played fire while cooking in the kitchen, turned a simple accident into a blazing fire fuming with black smoke, causing the clouds to get heavy.

At 9:15am that day I was preparing to go to work and I said good bye to my 9-month old daughter. I noticed a certain sad aura in her eyes, she was sad that I will be leaving her in the house. But I need to go to work for them. I felt something bad, but I did not mind about it when I saw her sad face.When I rode a jeepney going to bajada, I had a call from our family friend, she said in a terrifying voice that there is a fire in Magallanes just at the back of Grand Men Seng Hotel, which is very near at our house. I was shocked and panicked, when I texted my husband informing him about the situation, my hands are shaking and I am very nervous. 

At 9:30am, I got off the jeep, and rode another jeepney going to Magallanes. I just dropped at Ponciano St., because the roads were closed going to Magallanes. I felt the heat of the fire even in San Pedro St., and as I move closer to the City Hall and Magallanes Elem. Sch. , the fire was still scorching. I went to City Health Office, where are house is nearly located, I saw blazing red fire with black fuming flames. Our home is nowhere to be found, it was turned into ashes and flown away in the air. (Watch me here at 5:47 mins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnPeN-DhbQ4.)

I keep on calling my mom and dad, but they were not answering the phone. When I received a text message from our boarders, I was relieved when she said that they are safe and they are on the other side of the dike, so I hurriedly went there. As I was walking towards the other end of the dike, which I will walk through Bolton St., I saw fire trucks and people watching the fire. I kept on crying because I want to see my family safe. A lot of people were panicking and getting the things out of their house, it was daylight nightmare.

When I went to the place, I saw my family and we hugged each other and we cried. I kissed my daughters and I was happy seeing them safe. I thank my two boarders who helped my daughters escaped from the fire. It was an unexpected event in our lives, but even in this tragic happening we are still blessed that we are  alive and safe. My dad's boss offered that we could stay in their house temporarily until we can build our house.

We are slowly moving forward to start a new beginning, I know that it is not an easy journey but I know we can do it together as a family. God has a purpose for this trial in our life and I know He has prepared something great for us. We need to move on, we cannot live by the past alone but we can think about the future and plan a new chapter of our life.