Universal Health Care: Roadmap to 2016
MIND YOUR BODY By Willie T. Ong, MD (The Philippine Star) Updated
October 23, 2012 12:00 AM Comments (0)
Since June of 2010, the Department of Health, under Secretary Enrique T.
Ona, has focused its efforts on attaining Universal Health Care for all
Filipinos.
Universal Health Care has three strategic thrusts, namely, 1) the
expansion in PhilHealth enrollment and benefits; 2) the improvement of
government hospitals, health centers, and other facilities; and 3) the
attainment of DOH's health-related Millennium Development Goals,
including a reduction in maternal mortality and infant mortality rates,
through the provision of health services.
These three goals are among the hardest to achieve, but their impact on
the lives of every Filipino is far-reaching. For each of the country's
health problems, the Department of Health has mapped out its strategic
plans. However, implementing these plans is easier said than done. If
the solutions to our health problems were easy, then these diseases
should have been eradicated years ago.
Within two years, here are some of the things the DOH has achieved for
universal health care:
• More people enrolled in PhilHealth. Starting 2011, the national
government has paid for the PhilHealth membership of 5.3 million poorest
families, comprising almost 25 million Filipinos, as identified by the
National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development. For 2012, the premium
subsidy of these families was increased from P3.5 billion in 2011 to P
12.5 billion. These poor families are entitled to no-balance-billing (or
walang dagdag bayad) when they are admitted in a ward bed in any
government facility.
• Highest budget ever for DOH. Under Secretary Ona's term, the DOH
received the biggest budget increase, which is P42 billion for 2012 and
P53 billion for 2013. This figure is more than twice the DOH budget of
P23 billion in 2009. Secretary Ona once said, "As a surgeon, I know how
much our people need hospital care and medicines. I will lobby for the
DOH to get its needed budget."
• Improvement of health facilities. The DOH is in the process of
enhancing and upgrading health facilities to ensure that people have
access to quality health care. The national government has allotted
P13.5 billion for 2013 for the improvement of the national and local
government hospitals, health centers, and barangay health stations.
Secretary Ona has also started the National Hospital Reform Program,
wherein he has identified 25 to 30 DOH-retained hospitals for
modernization through private-public partnership (PPP). Seven of these
hospitals will be upgraded to give specialized care in heart surgery,
oncology, and organ transplantation, so that patients who will need
these services need not come to Manila or Cebu anymore.
• Attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. The DOH has employed
more nurses and health workers through the "RN Heals" volunteer nurses
program. Batch 1 deployed 10,000 nurses, batch 2 had 11,500 nurses, and
the latest batch 3 for 2012 will recruit 10,000 nurses and 3,000
midwives. Moreover, the DOH has deployed thousands of community health
teams. These teams of health workers travel house to house to teach
people about vaccination, cleanliness, maternal and child care, and
common diseases.
Seeing how the poor cannot buy their medicines, the DOH has also started
a new program of giving free maintenance medicines to poor patients.
Called the ComPack (complete treatment packs), this program has a budget
of P500 million a year.
To reduce the deaths of our children from severe diarrhea and pneumonia,
the DOH has included in the national immunization program the rotavirus
and pneumococcal vaccination initially for 700,000 infants belonging to
the 5.2 million NHTS families, the first country in Southeast Asia to do so.
Because of the department's efforts, the country is now closer to
achieving Universal Health Care by 2016. The DOH has laid the groundwork
for making this dream a reality.
The health department's vision is to achieve the following results:
•All Filipinos especially poor families will be enrolled in PhilHealth.
•PhilHealth support value for the patient's medical expenses will
increase from 34% in 2009 to 60% by 2016.
•Quality care will be provided in public facilities and public hospitals.
•The DOH will reach out to the grassroots. Poor families will be
informed and guided by community health teams for their health needs.
•Every family will have access to essential, quality, and affordable
health services, both in the prevention and treatment of diseases.
In the words of Secretary Ona, "The government cannot achieve this dream
alone. Universal Health Care will not be realized without the people's
commitment and partnership. We ask you, the private sector, the media,
and the people, to continue working with us with the same enthusiasm and
drive to help uplift the lives of the poorest members of our society."
--
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CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
EU turns over P312M livelihood fund for families displaced by Mindanao conflict
This summary is not available. Please
click here to view the post.
Friday, October 19, 2012
SIMM project provides clear reception to mobile banking
SIMM project provides clear reception to mobile banking
Published on 18 October 2012 Hits: 186
Mobile banking—regarded as the great equalizer for rural banks as it
helps bridge the banking divide, especially for the traditionally
unbanked segment of the market in the countryside—increases its signal
anew by a few bars with another initiative from the United States Agency
for International Development (Usaid).
Fresh from capping off its 15-year partnership with the Rural Bankers
Association of the Philippines via the Microenterprise Access to Banking
Services (MABS) program, Usaid this time has introduced a project titled
Scaling Innovations in Mobile Money or SIMM. It is a two-year
undertaking that aims to train more than 10,000 people through financial
education and literacy on the uses of mobile money and mobile money
services for improved household financial management; provide 10,000
people with new savings accounts via mobile banking; establish an
additional 2,500 cash-in/cash-out merchant partners by focusing on rural
areas; increase payroll implementation and adoption to 100 small,
medium, and large businesses and one Philippine government agency or
local government unit; increase the volume of mobile money transactions
by over 200 percent; and sponsor conferences and venues for networking
support and produce research papers and assessments for knowledge sharing.
Usaid has partnered with BPI Globe BanKO, Smart Communications and Globe
Telecom for the SIMM project, which are incidentally the three mobile
money service providers in the country.
According to Maura O'Neill, Usaid chief innovation officer and senior
counselor to the administrator, SIMM builds upon Usaid's and the
Philippines' current interventions in microfinance and mobile banking to
expand financial services even further through new technologies, as it
will enable Filipinos even from the remotest parts of the country to
send money home, save money, pay for unexpected medical costs, school
fees, or invest in their business using their mobile phones.
The SIMM Project aspires to integrate developing communities into the
formal financial sector, thereby providing low income Filipinos with the
means to build assets and participate more broadly in the formal economy.
On the part of rural banks, this project further complements the
industry's existing program to reach out and extend its services to its
target market through the use of mobile phones. Rural banks are no
strangers to the prowess of mobile telephony in delivering banking
services to the countryside by effectively transcending physical and
geographical boundaries. Rural banks are well positioned to be the
mobile money enabler in the countryside.
Taking a page from an earlier presentation of John Owens, previously the
chief of party of MABS, mobile banking transactions will continue to
expand and be easier to develop by rural banks as new applications for
mobile phones are continuously introduced. Services like text-based
banking, Point of Sale systems, cash cards, ATM cards, and prepaid debit
cards are technologies that are now within easy reach of rural banks.
While bigger banks have been investing in the expansion of their ATMs,
most rural banks prefer to collaborate with third party ATM providers
like ENCASH and offer a GCash- or Smart Money-enabled ATM card services
for a better round-the-clock access on the part of clients and customers.
Recent regulations and circulars issued by the Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP) have also enabled a regulatory environment that promotes
greater financial inclusion, or the delivery of financial services to
low-income groups at affordable costs. Among these important policies
include the easing of bank branching requirements and the expansion of
the role of micro-banking offices.
Under BSP Circular No. 694, the range of microfinance services that
banks can offer are expanded, now including the disbursement and
collection of microfinance loans, acceptance of micro-deposits, payout
remittances, the provision for cash-in and cash-out mobile money
services, sale and support of microinsurance services, bill payments,
and government services, among others. The BSP has also broadened the
classification of microfinance clients who could be offered
microinsurance services to now include customers from low-income households.
In 2011, rural banks processed more than P4.9 billion in mobile
money-enabled banking transactions. For the first four months of 2012,
there is already a 58-percent increase in the volume of transactions
anchored on mobile banking.
Over 73 rural banks with 1,168 branches and other banking offices have
now been accredited to offer mobile money-enabled banking services in
the country. These banks have processed more than P16 billion in mobile
banking transactions since 2006.
Although these numbers are already quite impressive, there is still a
lot of work that needs to be done. The BSP said that as of last year,
only 26 percent of Filipinos have access to formal financial services.
On the other hand, out of the 1,635 municipalities in the country, 37
percent or 610 municipalities still do not have access to banks.
Rural banks can help bridge this gap through the use of mobile banking.
Meanwhile, the SIMM Project will serve as another stimulus for the
continued development and promotion of mobile banking in the country.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Published on 18 October 2012 Hits: 186
Mobile banking—regarded as the great equalizer for rural banks as it
helps bridge the banking divide, especially for the traditionally
unbanked segment of the market in the countryside—increases its signal
anew by a few bars with another initiative from the United States Agency
for International Development (Usaid).
Fresh from capping off its 15-year partnership with the Rural Bankers
Association of the Philippines via the Microenterprise Access to Banking
Services (MABS) program, Usaid this time has introduced a project titled
Scaling Innovations in Mobile Money or SIMM. It is a two-year
undertaking that aims to train more than 10,000 people through financial
education and literacy on the uses of mobile money and mobile money
services for improved household financial management; provide 10,000
people with new savings accounts via mobile banking; establish an
additional 2,500 cash-in/cash-out merchant partners by focusing on rural
areas; increase payroll implementation and adoption to 100 small,
medium, and large businesses and one Philippine government agency or
local government unit; increase the volume of mobile money transactions
by over 200 percent; and sponsor conferences and venues for networking
support and produce research papers and assessments for knowledge sharing.
Usaid has partnered with BPI Globe BanKO, Smart Communications and Globe
Telecom for the SIMM project, which are incidentally the three mobile
money service providers in the country.
According to Maura O'Neill, Usaid chief innovation officer and senior
counselor to the administrator, SIMM builds upon Usaid's and the
Philippines' current interventions in microfinance and mobile banking to
expand financial services even further through new technologies, as it
will enable Filipinos even from the remotest parts of the country to
send money home, save money, pay for unexpected medical costs, school
fees, or invest in their business using their mobile phones.
The SIMM Project aspires to integrate developing communities into the
formal financial sector, thereby providing low income Filipinos with the
means to build assets and participate more broadly in the formal economy.
On the part of rural banks, this project further complements the
industry's existing program to reach out and extend its services to its
target market through the use of mobile phones. Rural banks are no
strangers to the prowess of mobile telephony in delivering banking
services to the countryside by effectively transcending physical and
geographical boundaries. Rural banks are well positioned to be the
mobile money enabler in the countryside.
Taking a page from an earlier presentation of John Owens, previously the
chief of party of MABS, mobile banking transactions will continue to
expand and be easier to develop by rural banks as new applications for
mobile phones are continuously introduced. Services like text-based
banking, Point of Sale systems, cash cards, ATM cards, and prepaid debit
cards are technologies that are now within easy reach of rural banks.
While bigger banks have been investing in the expansion of their ATMs,
most rural banks prefer to collaborate with third party ATM providers
like ENCASH and offer a GCash- or Smart Money-enabled ATM card services
for a better round-the-clock access on the part of clients and customers.
Recent regulations and circulars issued by the Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP) have also enabled a regulatory environment that promotes
greater financial inclusion, or the delivery of financial services to
low-income groups at affordable costs. Among these important policies
include the easing of bank branching requirements and the expansion of
the role of micro-banking offices.
Under BSP Circular No. 694, the range of microfinance services that
banks can offer are expanded, now including the disbursement and
collection of microfinance loans, acceptance of micro-deposits, payout
remittances, the provision for cash-in and cash-out mobile money
services, sale and support of microinsurance services, bill payments,
and government services, among others. The BSP has also broadened the
classification of microfinance clients who could be offered
microinsurance services to now include customers from low-income households.
In 2011, rural banks processed more than P4.9 billion in mobile
money-enabled banking transactions. For the first four months of 2012,
there is already a 58-percent increase in the volume of transactions
anchored on mobile banking.
Over 73 rural banks with 1,168 branches and other banking offices have
now been accredited to offer mobile money-enabled banking services in
the country. These banks have processed more than P16 billion in mobile
banking transactions since 2006.
Although these numbers are already quite impressive, there is still a
lot of work that needs to be done. The BSP said that as of last year,
only 26 percent of Filipinos have access to formal financial services.
On the other hand, out of the 1,635 municipalities in the country, 37
percent or 610 municipalities still do not have access to banks.
Rural banks can help bridge this gap through the use of mobile banking.
Meanwhile, the SIMM Project will serve as another stimulus for the
continued development and promotion of mobile banking in the country.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LandBank releases P4.7B in additional loans
LandBank releases P4.7B in additional loans
Published on 19 October 2012 Hits: 106 Written by JAMES KONSTANTIN
GALVEZ REPORTER
STate-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) has released an
additional P4.7 billion worth of loans in the first eight months of this
year as part of its effort to boost the government's thrust toward food
sufficiency and increase agricultural productivity.
LandBank President Gilda Pico said that since the start of the Food
Supply Chain Program (FSCP) in 2010, the total loan releases to
LandBank's priority sectors reached P14.5 billion, benefiting some 152
anchor firms and 410 cooperatives, farmers' organizations and producers
in Northern and Central Luzon.
The total amount includes P4.6 billion in loans to beneficiary projects,
firms, cooperatives and producers in Northern and Central Luzon; P3.5
billion in Visayas; P3.4 billion in Mindanao; and P3.1 billion in
Southern Luzon.
"We are pleased that the FSCP is further gaining momentum as more
farmers and fisher folk cooperatives and organizations, as well as SMEs
[small and medium enterprises] and NGOs [non-government organizations]
stand to benefit from the program," Pico said.
"We are committed to seeing this program to fruition as we endeavor to
provide better opportunities and improve the lives of our priority
sectors," she added.
The FSCP provides financial assistance to key players in the food system
such as agricultural producers, service providers, processors and
various market players; farms market linkages between agricultural
producers and processors; and offers capacity building support to
strengthen farmers' organizations and enable them to meet product
requirements of anchor firms.
Anchors firms are, in turn, expected to buy the produce of the
participating cooperatives and organizations, and provide technical
assistance to improve productivity and product quality.
Among the projects now being implemented are hog fattening; oil palm
production and processing; fruits and vegetable production and
processing; rice and corn production, processing and trading; banana
production and processing; fish production and processing; onion
production, cold storage and marketing; and sugarcane production and
milling.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Published on 19 October 2012 Hits: 106 Written by JAMES KONSTANTIN
GALVEZ REPORTER
STate-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) has released an
additional P4.7 billion worth of loans in the first eight months of this
year as part of its effort to boost the government's thrust toward food
sufficiency and increase agricultural productivity.
LandBank President Gilda Pico said that since the start of the Food
Supply Chain Program (FSCP) in 2010, the total loan releases to
LandBank's priority sectors reached P14.5 billion, benefiting some 152
anchor firms and 410 cooperatives, farmers' organizations and producers
in Northern and Central Luzon.
The total amount includes P4.6 billion in loans to beneficiary projects,
firms, cooperatives and producers in Northern and Central Luzon; P3.5
billion in Visayas; P3.4 billion in Mindanao; and P3.1 billion in
Southern Luzon.
"We are pleased that the FSCP is further gaining momentum as more
farmers and fisher folk cooperatives and organizations, as well as SMEs
[small and medium enterprises] and NGOs [non-government organizations]
stand to benefit from the program," Pico said.
"We are committed to seeing this program to fruition as we endeavor to
provide better opportunities and improve the lives of our priority
sectors," she added.
The FSCP provides financial assistance to key players in the food system
such as agricultural producers, service providers, processors and
various market players; farms market linkages between agricultural
producers and processors; and offers capacity building support to
strengthen farmers' organizations and enable them to meet product
requirements of anchor firms.
Anchors firms are, in turn, expected to buy the produce of the
participating cooperatives and organizations, and provide technical
assistance to improve productivity and product quality.
Among the projects now being implemented are hog fattening; oil palm
production and processing; fruits and vegetable production and
processing; rice and corn production, processing and trading; banana
production and processing; fish production and processing; onion
production, cold storage and marketing; and sugarcane production and
milling.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
ADB claims microfinance success in PH
ADB claims microfinance success in PH
Published on 18 October 2012 Hits: 521 Written by MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO
REPORTER
BUT BANK SAYS ONLY 3 MILLION FILIPINOS HAVE ACCESS TO LENDING FOR THE POOR
A study from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Independent Evaluation
Department that was released on Wednesday said that the lender's
microfinance support had been effective in the Philippines as of 2010,
however, many Filipinos still do not have an access to microfinance loans.
According to the study entitled "Microfinance Development Strategy 2000:
Sector Performance and Client Welfare," in the Philippines, support for
microfinance formed part of ADB's country partnership strategy,
particularly in the government's efforts to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals.
However, it noted that of the current Philippine population of 94.1
million, only 3 million poor Filipinos had access to microfinance loans.
The ADB study explained that this few number of Filipinos reflects a
3.2-percent penetration rate of microfinance.
"Penetration rates compare active borrowers against a potential client
base of the population living below the international poverty line of
$1.25 per day," it added.
However, while only few Filipinos have access to microfinance loans, the
study had observed that ADB's microfinance development strategy had been
effective in the country with notable improvements in the policy, legal,
regulatory, and supervisory frameworks.
Besides Philippines, the ADB study added that growth in outreach and
sustainability provides evidence that microfinance institutions capacity
was also strengthened in Cambodia and Tajikistan.
"In these three countries, the interventions addressed key constraints
to sector growth with appropriate choices of financing instruments to
ease the expansion of microfinance services," it added.
In terms of promotion of pro-poor innovations and financial technology,
the study revealed that ADB's support for this area was very limited and
mainly through technical assistance.
"Support to Cambodia, Philippines, and Sri Lanka laid the groundwork for
the expansion of savings and microinsurance products and services,
through the development of appropriate regulatory frameworks and support
for product development," it added.
Meanwhile, in the Asia and the Pacific region, the study said that
microfinance needs to reach more of the poor, but in a financially
sustainable way.
It also emphasized the twin goals of microfinance—reaching the poor and
being financially sustainable, adding that microfinance has become
increasingly commercialized in the region. The study stressed the role
of government and agencies such as ADB in addressing the financial needs
of the poor, while at the same time ensuring the institutional
sustainability of microfinance providers.
"Despite the increasing popularity of microfinance in recent years,
expanding the access of poor households to institutional financial
services remains a great challenge to governments and development
agencies," according to the Director General of Independent Evaluation
at ADB, Vinod Thomas.
Low penetration in Asia
It also found that the penetration of microfinance among the poor in
Asia and the Pacific remains low.
Moreover, the study added that as of the end of 2010, some 20 percent of
the population living below the poverty level of $1.25 a day had direct
access to microfinance services in 21 developing countries receiving ADB
microfinance support.
"This level was below ADB's goals," it said.
The study added that microfinance is seen in the region as an important
means to helping low-income households take advantage of economic
opportunities and improve living standards. However, the degree to which
it actually reaches the poor and improves their welfare is under public
scrutiny.
It also noted that for microfinance to have a greater impact on reducing
poverty in the region, it needs to better target the poor and focus more
on educating them in using basic financial services, as well as more
effectively link microfinance services to complementary pro-poor
interventions.
Furthermore, the study also noted that about 2.7 billion people
worldwide, or 70 percent of the adult population in the world's
developing countries, have no access to formal financial services, such
as savings or checking accounts, representing a key and still largely
untapped market segment for financial inclusion.
"Improvements in the policy environment and integrating microfinance in
the formal financial sector do not automatically improve outreach to the
poor. Deliberate and innovative approaches are needed to benefit more
people currently not reached by traditional financial institutions,"
Thomas said.
Government-to-person payments also have the potential to become an
effective means for financial inclusion, primarily through social
transfers and wage and pension payments, which have been implemented in
Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and the Philippines, it
explained.
In May 2000, the ADB approved its MDS to provide a strategic framework
and broad guidance for its support in the microfinance sector.
Since then, the ADB said that it has been one of the largest providers
of microfinance support in the region and it had approved nearly $2.8
billion through 88 loans, grants, technical assistance operations, and
private sector investments.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Published on 18 October 2012 Hits: 521 Written by MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO
REPORTER
BUT BANK SAYS ONLY 3 MILLION FILIPINOS HAVE ACCESS TO LENDING FOR THE POOR
A study from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Independent Evaluation
Department that was released on Wednesday said that the lender's
microfinance support had been effective in the Philippines as of 2010,
however, many Filipinos still do not have an access to microfinance loans.
According to the study entitled "Microfinance Development Strategy 2000:
Sector Performance and Client Welfare," in the Philippines, support for
microfinance formed part of ADB's country partnership strategy,
particularly in the government's efforts to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals.
However, it noted that of the current Philippine population of 94.1
million, only 3 million poor Filipinos had access to microfinance loans.
The ADB study explained that this few number of Filipinos reflects a
3.2-percent penetration rate of microfinance.
"Penetration rates compare active borrowers against a potential client
base of the population living below the international poverty line of
$1.25 per day," it added.
However, while only few Filipinos have access to microfinance loans, the
study had observed that ADB's microfinance development strategy had been
effective in the country with notable improvements in the policy, legal,
regulatory, and supervisory frameworks.
Besides Philippines, the ADB study added that growth in outreach and
sustainability provides evidence that microfinance institutions capacity
was also strengthened in Cambodia and Tajikistan.
"In these three countries, the interventions addressed key constraints
to sector growth with appropriate choices of financing instruments to
ease the expansion of microfinance services," it added.
In terms of promotion of pro-poor innovations and financial technology,
the study revealed that ADB's support for this area was very limited and
mainly through technical assistance.
"Support to Cambodia, Philippines, and Sri Lanka laid the groundwork for
the expansion of savings and microinsurance products and services,
through the development of appropriate regulatory frameworks and support
for product development," it added.
Meanwhile, in the Asia and the Pacific region, the study said that
microfinance needs to reach more of the poor, but in a financially
sustainable way.
It also emphasized the twin goals of microfinance—reaching the poor and
being financially sustainable, adding that microfinance has become
increasingly commercialized in the region. The study stressed the role
of government and agencies such as ADB in addressing the financial needs
of the poor, while at the same time ensuring the institutional
sustainability of microfinance providers.
"Despite the increasing popularity of microfinance in recent years,
expanding the access of poor households to institutional financial
services remains a great challenge to governments and development
agencies," according to the Director General of Independent Evaluation
at ADB, Vinod Thomas.
Low penetration in Asia
It also found that the penetration of microfinance among the poor in
Asia and the Pacific remains low.
Moreover, the study added that as of the end of 2010, some 20 percent of
the population living below the poverty level of $1.25 a day had direct
access to microfinance services in 21 developing countries receiving ADB
microfinance support.
"This level was below ADB's goals," it said.
The study added that microfinance is seen in the region as an important
means to helping low-income households take advantage of economic
opportunities and improve living standards. However, the degree to which
it actually reaches the poor and improves their welfare is under public
scrutiny.
It also noted that for microfinance to have a greater impact on reducing
poverty in the region, it needs to better target the poor and focus more
on educating them in using basic financial services, as well as more
effectively link microfinance services to complementary pro-poor
interventions.
Furthermore, the study also noted that about 2.7 billion people
worldwide, or 70 percent of the adult population in the world's
developing countries, have no access to formal financial services, such
as savings or checking accounts, representing a key and still largely
untapped market segment for financial inclusion.
"Improvements in the policy environment and integrating microfinance in
the formal financial sector do not automatically improve outreach to the
poor. Deliberate and innovative approaches are needed to benefit more
people currently not reached by traditional financial institutions,"
Thomas said.
Government-to-person payments also have the potential to become an
effective means for financial inclusion, primarily through social
transfers and wage and pension payments, which have been implemented in
Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and the Philippines, it
explained.
In May 2000, the ADB approved its MDS to provide a strategic framework
and broad guidance for its support in the microfinance sector.
Since then, the ADB said that it has been one of the largest providers
of microfinance support in the region and it had approved nearly $2.8
billion through 88 loans, grants, technical assistance operations, and
private sector investments.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial literacy and information asymmetry
BY BRIAN JERIC MORILLO, IDEA
Financial literacy and information asymmetry
THE GOOD NEWS is that Filipinos are now more adept at managing their
finances. The bad news is that the Philippines' financial quotient still
lags behind its regional peers. These were some of the findings of the
most recent Financial Quotient (Fin-Q) Survey by international financial
services conglomerate, Citi.
In previous years, financial literacy among Filipinos has always fallen
below the 50-point mark out of a perfect score of 100. The Philippines
recorded its lowest grade in 2008 when it got an overall score of 46.6
points. This year, however, showed a notable improvement as the country
crossed the halfway mark of the Fin-Q Survey for the very first time at
52.6 points. Moreover, the survey indicated that six out of ten
Filipinos feel that they have a "good" or "very good" grasp of money
management. Similarly, four out of five say that they are "optimistic"
about their financial future.
Though the score is still behind the regional score of 54.5 points, the
numbers suggest that Filipinos are now more concerned about planning
their personal finances while at the same time trying to improve their
financial security. Filipinos are now saving more, managing credit,
seeking investments and spending on insurance. This is, however, just
the first step in improving the financial security of Filipinos.
While the management of finances is geared towards achieving financial
security, individuals who have not been properly educated just might
suffer losing their lifetime savings. This is especially true when
dealing with investment vehicles. Saving is one part of the process and
where to put one's money is another question. Of the two aspects, the
latter will pose potential problems. An individual has to know the
different levels of risk associated with diverse potential investment
vehicles on which he or she will put money on.
What is more problematic, however, is the underlying issue of what is
called the "principal-agent problem." This situation can lead to "moral
hazard" situations, defined by R. Pindyck and D. Rubifeld as a problem
that occurs when the unobserved actions of an agent affects the
probability or magnitude of payment to the principal. These unmonitored
actions by the agent (the organization that receives the investment) can
lead to disastrous results.
An example is when top management exercises a myopic or short-term
perspective over the company's financial performance rather than
focusing on the long-term financial health of the company. They tend to
forego plans that will have long-term beneficial effects because their
compensation and bonuses are very much tied to short-term gains. This is
exactly what happened during the housing bubble in the United States.
Because compensation and bonus schemes do not purposely underscore the
goal of long-term financial success, top management of investment banks
like Goldman Sachs sometimes secretly bet against the very products they
sold to their investors. In addition, banks made risky investments out
of their depositors' money. These precarious behaviors are the cause of
the degradation of equity wealth not only among Americans, but citizens
of other countries as well.
These events are consequences of "information asymmetry" in the market.
As everyone knows, information is costly to acquire, hence, some people
know more than others. Moreover, having the necessary information can
mean power on the part of the holder. Thus, not all types of information
will be readily available for the consumer's consumption. With very
little information, Filipinos should be creative in finding means to
avoid the adverse effects of information asymmetry.
In this regard, the government can step in not only in educating people
on ways to assess possible investments, (and, hence, not be ensnared by
unworthy companies) but also in minimizing adverse behaviors of company
officers.
Recently, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced an overhaul
of disclosure rules with respect to executive and director compensation
schemes. They are considering requiring companies to disclose more
detailed information about compensation schemes available to company top
officials. This is a laudable move on the part of the government to
protect the interest of investors. These revised rules will definitely
improve transparency with respect to compensation, hence, giving
potential investors the opportunity to assess the probability of company
officials engaging in risky activities.
Indeed, it is good news that more and more Filipinos are now minding
their finances. With many Filipinos just starting out, two extremes
highlight what could possibly happen. They might end up parking their
money in riskless investments and, thus, miss out on value. Or, they
might find themselves trapped in very risky investments and, thus, lose
their money. The experience of advanced economies should serve as a
lesson. If the more sophisticated citizens of developed countries made
huge mistakes, Filipinos should all the more be cautious.
The Institute for Development and Econometric Analysis (IDEA), Inc. is a
non-stock, non-partisan institution dedicated to high-quality economic
research, instruction, and communication. The views and opinions
expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect
those of the organization. For questions and inquiries, please contact
Remrick Patagan via ideainc.mail@gmail.com or telefax no. 920-6872.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial literacy and information asymmetry
THE GOOD NEWS is that Filipinos are now more adept at managing their
finances. The bad news is that the Philippines' financial quotient still
lags behind its regional peers. These were some of the findings of the
most recent Financial Quotient (Fin-Q) Survey by international financial
services conglomerate, Citi.
In previous years, financial literacy among Filipinos has always fallen
below the 50-point mark out of a perfect score of 100. The Philippines
recorded its lowest grade in 2008 when it got an overall score of 46.6
points. This year, however, showed a notable improvement as the country
crossed the halfway mark of the Fin-Q Survey for the very first time at
52.6 points. Moreover, the survey indicated that six out of ten
Filipinos feel that they have a "good" or "very good" grasp of money
management. Similarly, four out of five say that they are "optimistic"
about their financial future.
Though the score is still behind the regional score of 54.5 points, the
numbers suggest that Filipinos are now more concerned about planning
their personal finances while at the same time trying to improve their
financial security. Filipinos are now saving more, managing credit,
seeking investments and spending on insurance. This is, however, just
the first step in improving the financial security of Filipinos.
While the management of finances is geared towards achieving financial
security, individuals who have not been properly educated just might
suffer losing their lifetime savings. This is especially true when
dealing with investment vehicles. Saving is one part of the process and
where to put one's money is another question. Of the two aspects, the
latter will pose potential problems. An individual has to know the
different levels of risk associated with diverse potential investment
vehicles on which he or she will put money on.
What is more problematic, however, is the underlying issue of what is
called the "principal-agent problem." This situation can lead to "moral
hazard" situations, defined by R. Pindyck and D. Rubifeld as a problem
that occurs when the unobserved actions of an agent affects the
probability or magnitude of payment to the principal. These unmonitored
actions by the agent (the organization that receives the investment) can
lead to disastrous results.
An example is when top management exercises a myopic or short-term
perspective over the company's financial performance rather than
focusing on the long-term financial health of the company. They tend to
forego plans that will have long-term beneficial effects because their
compensation and bonuses are very much tied to short-term gains. This is
exactly what happened during the housing bubble in the United States.
Because compensation and bonus schemes do not purposely underscore the
goal of long-term financial success, top management of investment banks
like Goldman Sachs sometimes secretly bet against the very products they
sold to their investors. In addition, banks made risky investments out
of their depositors' money. These precarious behaviors are the cause of
the degradation of equity wealth not only among Americans, but citizens
of other countries as well.
These events are consequences of "information asymmetry" in the market.
As everyone knows, information is costly to acquire, hence, some people
know more than others. Moreover, having the necessary information can
mean power on the part of the holder. Thus, not all types of information
will be readily available for the consumer's consumption. With very
little information, Filipinos should be creative in finding means to
avoid the adverse effects of information asymmetry.
In this regard, the government can step in not only in educating people
on ways to assess possible investments, (and, hence, not be ensnared by
unworthy companies) but also in minimizing adverse behaviors of company
officers.
Recently, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced an overhaul
of disclosure rules with respect to executive and director compensation
schemes. They are considering requiring companies to disclose more
detailed information about compensation schemes available to company top
officials. This is a laudable move on the part of the government to
protect the interest of investors. These revised rules will definitely
improve transparency with respect to compensation, hence, giving
potential investors the opportunity to assess the probability of company
officials engaging in risky activities.
Indeed, it is good news that more and more Filipinos are now minding
their finances. With many Filipinos just starting out, two extremes
highlight what could possibly happen. They might end up parking their
money in riskless investments and, thus, miss out on value. Or, they
might find themselves trapped in very risky investments and, thus, lose
their money. The experience of advanced economies should serve as a
lesson. If the more sophisticated citizens of developed countries made
huge mistakes, Filipinos should all the more be cautious.
The Institute for Development and Econometric Analysis (IDEA), Inc. is a
non-stock, non-partisan institution dedicated to high-quality economic
research, instruction, and communication. The views and opinions
expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect
those of the organization. For questions and inquiries, please contact
Remrick Patagan via ideainc.mail@gmail.com or telefax no. 920-6872.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Foreign equity bill to make rural banks more competitive
Foreign equity bill to make rural banks more competitive
Published on Monday, 08 October 2012 00:00
Sen. Sergio Osmeña III is pushing for the opening of the rural banking
industry to foreign ownership of up to 60 percent of the voting stock of
an existing rural bank to make the industry healthier and at par with
its bigger counterparts.
He said Senate Bill 3282, or "An Act Allowing Infusion of Foreign Equity
in the Capital of Rural Banks, Amending Republic Act No. 7353, Otherwise
Known as The Rural Banks Act of 1992, As Amended And For Other
Purposes," which he sponsors, aims to open up ownership of rural banks
to foreign equity, thus revitalizing the rural banking system and
improving access of banking services in rural areas.
"This legislation will stimulate more lively activity among rural banks
by creating an environment that is beneficial to foreign investors,
local banking patrons, and national economy," the lawmaker said, during
a recent sponsorship speech at the Senate.
Senate Bill 3282 is in substitution of Senate Bill No. 1907 introduced
by Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago and Senate Bill No. 3089 introduced by
Sen. Edgardo J. Angara, taking into consideration House Bill No. 5360
introduced by Representatives Sergio Apostol, Rufus Rodriguez, Maximo
Rodriguez, Jr., Pedro Romualdo, Roilo Golez, Julieta Cortuna, Isidro
Lico, Cresente Paez, Philip Pichay, Arthur Defensor, Jr., Jeci Lapus and
Agapito Guanlao.
It seeks to amend Section 4 of R.A. 7353, which restricts ownership of
rural banks to Filipino citizens only, by allowing foreign individuals
and entities to acquire equity of up to 60 percent in rural banks.
"Rural banks need to look beyond their limited resources and take
advantage of funds available elsewhere," Sen. Osmeña pointed out. "The
opportunity to forge international equity partnerships will put rural
banks on a level playing field with its thrift and commercial bank
counterparts that are able to take in foreign partnerships."
He explained that a healthier and more competitive rural banking sector,
with the benefit of international partnerships, will mean more resources
to reach out to the unbanked, underbanked, and the less privileged
sector of society.
Sen. Osmeña, chairman of the Senate committee on Banks and Financial
Intermediaries, added that foreign equity in rural banks would be a
major stimulus for microfinance, micro-enterprise, and agriculture
sectors. Subsequently, all would serve as important catalysts in
countryside development.
"This legislation will open a new source of equity infusion,
particularly for the smallest lenders that cannot expand and who cannot
afford sophisticated forms of financial services," he said.
Rural banks have been operating in the Philippines for 60 years and with
the amendment of the law, will boost its ability to help spur
countryside development.
The bill is still pending second reading.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Published on Monday, 08 October 2012 00:00
Sen. Sergio Osmeña III is pushing for the opening of the rural banking
industry to foreign ownership of up to 60 percent of the voting stock of
an existing rural bank to make the industry healthier and at par with
its bigger counterparts.
He said Senate Bill 3282, or "An Act Allowing Infusion of Foreign Equity
in the Capital of Rural Banks, Amending Republic Act No. 7353, Otherwise
Known as The Rural Banks Act of 1992, As Amended And For Other
Purposes," which he sponsors, aims to open up ownership of rural banks
to foreign equity, thus revitalizing the rural banking system and
improving access of banking services in rural areas.
"This legislation will stimulate more lively activity among rural banks
by creating an environment that is beneficial to foreign investors,
local banking patrons, and national economy," the lawmaker said, during
a recent sponsorship speech at the Senate.
Senate Bill 3282 is in substitution of Senate Bill No. 1907 introduced
by Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago and Senate Bill No. 3089 introduced by
Sen. Edgardo J. Angara, taking into consideration House Bill No. 5360
introduced by Representatives Sergio Apostol, Rufus Rodriguez, Maximo
Rodriguez, Jr., Pedro Romualdo, Roilo Golez, Julieta Cortuna, Isidro
Lico, Cresente Paez, Philip Pichay, Arthur Defensor, Jr., Jeci Lapus and
Agapito Guanlao.
It seeks to amend Section 4 of R.A. 7353, which restricts ownership of
rural banks to Filipino citizens only, by allowing foreign individuals
and entities to acquire equity of up to 60 percent in rural banks.
"Rural banks need to look beyond their limited resources and take
advantage of funds available elsewhere," Sen. Osmeña pointed out. "The
opportunity to forge international equity partnerships will put rural
banks on a level playing field with its thrift and commercial bank
counterparts that are able to take in foreign partnerships."
He explained that a healthier and more competitive rural banking sector,
with the benefit of international partnerships, will mean more resources
to reach out to the unbanked, underbanked, and the less privileged
sector of society.
Sen. Osmeña, chairman of the Senate committee on Banks and Financial
Intermediaries, added that foreign equity in rural banks would be a
major stimulus for microfinance, micro-enterprise, and agriculture
sectors. Subsequently, all would serve as important catalysts in
countryside development.
"This legislation will open a new source of equity infusion,
particularly for the smallest lenders that cannot expand and who cannot
afford sophisticated forms of financial services," he said.
Rural banks have been operating in the Philippines for 60 years and with
the amendment of the law, will boost its ability to help spur
countryside development.
The bill is still pending second reading.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
ING Bank says strong peso trend could last for 2 years
ING Bank says strong peso trend could last for 2 years
Published on Monday, 08 October 2012 00:00
Local exporters, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and others who earn in
foreign currencies may have to get used to seeing a strong peso, at
least in the next two years, as the Philippines prepares to join the
league of nations with investment-grade credit ratings.
Johnson Sia, Head of Financial Markets at the Manila branch of Dutch
financial giant ING Bank, said recent events have led to a more
favorable outlook on the Philippine economy and this could make the
local currency advance further against the US dollar.
Sia cited events such as Standard & Poor's move lifting the Philippines'
debt rating to BB+ (one notch below investment grade) in July,
improvement in the balance of payments, a relatively benign inflation, a
record-high stock market, all-time-low government bond yields, and
stronger growth prospects.
"There's no question that the continuous appreciation of the peso is
based on solid economic fundamentals and there is a growing expectation
that this trend will continue. This means exporters need to face the
reality that having a strong peso is now inevitable and they must know
how to adapt to remain competitive in the global markets," he said.
The Philippine peso remains one of the best-performing Asian currencies
year-to-date.
Sia estimated that at least 80 percent of the currency's strength came
from fundamentals such as "having a good Philippine story" and the
continuous influx of foreign flows, including those from OFW remittances
and higher BPO receipts.
Some companies may also want to take advantage of the strong peso
outlook by leaving their foreign exchange exposures un-hedged or by
borrowing in US dollars although this is not something that Mr. Sia
encourages.
"Local currency borrowing rates are at their all-time low, and the cost
of hedging foreign exchange exposures are at their cheapest as well.
Companies should, therefore, just borrow in pesos. For those with
existing dollar obligations, lock-in the forex gains by hedging or
redenominating these into pesos," Mr. Sia advised.
"Forex exposures translate to swings in a company's income and that is
not something that equity analysts like. At the end of the day,
companies should focus on their core enterprise and areas of expertise,
and have to realize they are not in the business of forex speculation,"
he added.
He said market players see the much-anticipated investment grade rating
for Philippine credit happening "sometime by the middle of 2013." While
some felt this has already been factored in by investors, Mr. Sia said
this could still result in a further rally in the Philippine markets.
"There are a lot of funds out there that only invest in investment-grade
debt or are allowed to invest only on an index of investment-grade
instruments," he explained.
"Two years is a safe bet that the market trend we have now would
persist," said the ING Bank executive.
Established in 1990, ING Manila is the first foreign bank to be granted
a universal banking license. It provides multi-product financial
services to international and local clients. The awards it has received
from various international and local award-giving bodies are a testament
to ING Bank's strong franchise in local debt capital markets, loan
syndications and corporate finance.
ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking,
investments, life insurance and retirement services to over 67 million
private, corporate and institutional clients in more than 40 countries.
With a diverse workforce of 94,500 people, ING is dedicated to setting
the standard in helping our clients manage their financial future.
In Asia, ING banking activities cover both commercial and retail
banking. Its Commercial Banking division conducts a wide range of
international financial services, offering corporate finance, financial
markets, debt capital markets, corporate and structured lending, and M&A
advisory services to meet clients' needs.
ING Commercial Banking Asia is present and and active in 14 major
economies, namely Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia,
Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea,
Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
ING Retail Banking operations in Asia include a 13.64 percent stake in
Bank of Beijing, China; a 44 percent stake in ING Vysya Bank, India and
a 30 percent stake in TMB Bank, Thailand as well as a 100 percent stake
in ING Direct in Australia.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Published on Monday, 08 October 2012 00:00
Local exporters, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and others who earn in
foreign currencies may have to get used to seeing a strong peso, at
least in the next two years, as the Philippines prepares to join the
league of nations with investment-grade credit ratings.
Johnson Sia, Head of Financial Markets at the Manila branch of Dutch
financial giant ING Bank, said recent events have led to a more
favorable outlook on the Philippine economy and this could make the
local currency advance further against the US dollar.
Sia cited events such as Standard & Poor's move lifting the Philippines'
debt rating to BB+ (one notch below investment grade) in July,
improvement in the balance of payments, a relatively benign inflation, a
record-high stock market, all-time-low government bond yields, and
stronger growth prospects.
"There's no question that the continuous appreciation of the peso is
based on solid economic fundamentals and there is a growing expectation
that this trend will continue. This means exporters need to face the
reality that having a strong peso is now inevitable and they must know
how to adapt to remain competitive in the global markets," he said.
The Philippine peso remains one of the best-performing Asian currencies
year-to-date.
Sia estimated that at least 80 percent of the currency's strength came
from fundamentals such as "having a good Philippine story" and the
continuous influx of foreign flows, including those from OFW remittances
and higher BPO receipts.
Some companies may also want to take advantage of the strong peso
outlook by leaving their foreign exchange exposures un-hedged or by
borrowing in US dollars although this is not something that Mr. Sia
encourages.
"Local currency borrowing rates are at their all-time low, and the cost
of hedging foreign exchange exposures are at their cheapest as well.
Companies should, therefore, just borrow in pesos. For those with
existing dollar obligations, lock-in the forex gains by hedging or
redenominating these into pesos," Mr. Sia advised.
"Forex exposures translate to swings in a company's income and that is
not something that equity analysts like. At the end of the day,
companies should focus on their core enterprise and areas of expertise,
and have to realize they are not in the business of forex speculation,"
he added.
He said market players see the much-anticipated investment grade rating
for Philippine credit happening "sometime by the middle of 2013." While
some felt this has already been factored in by investors, Mr. Sia said
this could still result in a further rally in the Philippine markets.
"There are a lot of funds out there that only invest in investment-grade
debt or are allowed to invest only on an index of investment-grade
instruments," he explained.
"Two years is a safe bet that the market trend we have now would
persist," said the ING Bank executive.
Established in 1990, ING Manila is the first foreign bank to be granted
a universal banking license. It provides multi-product financial
services to international and local clients. The awards it has received
from various international and local award-giving bodies are a testament
to ING Bank's strong franchise in local debt capital markets, loan
syndications and corporate finance.
ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking,
investments, life insurance and retirement services to over 67 million
private, corporate and institutional clients in more than 40 countries.
With a diverse workforce of 94,500 people, ING is dedicated to setting
the standard in helping our clients manage their financial future.
In Asia, ING banking activities cover both commercial and retail
banking. Its Commercial Banking division conducts a wide range of
international financial services, offering corporate finance, financial
markets, debt capital markets, corporate and structured lending, and M&A
advisory services to meet clients' needs.
ING Commercial Banking Asia is present and and active in 14 major
economies, namely Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia,
Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea,
Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
ING Retail Banking operations in Asia include a 13.64 percent stake in
Bank of Beijing, China; a 44 percent stake in ING Vysya Bank, India and
a 30 percent stake in TMB Bank, Thailand as well as a 100 percent stake
in ING Direct in Australia.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Microfinance reach too small
Microfinance reach too small
Published on Thursday, 18 October 2012 00:00
Written by ANGELA CELIS
Microfinance services in the Philippines are only able to reach 3.2
percent of the country's population, a study from the Asian Development
Bank (ADB) showed.
In a report titled, Microfinance Development Strategy 2000: Sector
Performance and Client Welfare, the bank said that the total number of
borrowers in the Philippines as reported by microfinance institutions is
only three million, as of end-2010.
This figure is equivalent to 3.2 percent of the 94.1 million population
as of 2010.
The data from ADB also show that microfinance services reach only 14.1
percent of the poor population in the county, or those who are below the
World Bank's international poverty line of $1.25 a day. The poor
population in the Philippines as of end-2010 is 21.3 million.
"Despite the growth in outreach and microfinance providers in Cambodia
and Philippines, penetration rates were only 3.2 percent and 1.4
percent, respectively," the report said.
As of end-2011, the Philippines had 14,935 microfinance providers, which
the ADB said was due to the large number of cooperatives that have
microfinance operations.
The ADB said that Viet Nam leads the six countries studied in the
report, in terms of the scale and outreach of microfinance services, as
well as in terms of penetration rates.
The report said that this was achieved by Viet Nam with heavy subsidies
to the state-owned Viet Nam Bank for Social Policy.
"Cambodia, Pakistan, and the Philippines, despite their well-established
policy and regulatory frameworks, were far from the scale and outreach
of Viet Nam," the report said.
"However, the microfinance industry in these countries is commercially
oriented, offering more diverse products and services to clients with
more licensed or formal institutions operating in the market," the study
added.
The ADB said that the six countries studied represent 33 percent or $916
million of the agency's microfinance portfolio in 2000 to 2010.
Pakistan received the largest amount of assistance with $488.9 million.
The Philippines had the second largest share of microfinance support
from the ADB among the six countries with 19 percent or $173 million, of
which $150 million was a sector development program loan approved in 2005.
"These two countries received the major share of the assistance among
the six countries due to their relatively large program loans, which
covered comprehensive policy reforms and capacity development for the
sector," the ADB said.
The report said that the ADB support had effective results for creating
a policy environment conducive to microfinance in Cambodia, Pakistan,
Philippines, and Tajikistan.
"In the Philippines, ADB support enhanced the policy and regulatory
environment by removing regulatory impediments and policy distortions,
which in turn contributed to the growth of the sector," the report said.
The ADB said that microfinance needs to reach more of the poor in Asia
and the Pacific.
The study finds that the penetration of microfinance among the poor in
the entire region remains low.
"As of the end of 2010, some 20 percent of the population living below
the poverty level of $1.25 per day had direct access to microfinance
services in 21 developing countries receiving ADB microfinance support.
This level was below ADB's goals," the agency said.
The report said that around 2.7 billion people worldwide, equivalent to
70 percent of the adult population in the world's developing countries,
have no access to formal financial services, such as savings or checking
accounts.
They represent a key and still largely untapped market segment for
financial inclusion, the ADB said.
"Improvements in the policy environment and integrating microfinance in
the formal financial sector do not automatically improve outreach to the
poor. Deliberate and innovative approaches are needed to benefit more
people currently not reached by traditional financial institutions,"
Vinod Thomas, Director General of Independent Evaluation, said.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Published on Thursday, 18 October 2012 00:00
Written by ANGELA CELIS
Microfinance services in the Philippines are only able to reach 3.2
percent of the country's population, a study from the Asian Development
Bank (ADB) showed.
In a report titled, Microfinance Development Strategy 2000: Sector
Performance and Client Welfare, the bank said that the total number of
borrowers in the Philippines as reported by microfinance institutions is
only three million, as of end-2010.
This figure is equivalent to 3.2 percent of the 94.1 million population
as of 2010.
The data from ADB also show that microfinance services reach only 14.1
percent of the poor population in the county, or those who are below the
World Bank's international poverty line of $1.25 a day. The poor
population in the Philippines as of end-2010 is 21.3 million.
"Despite the growth in outreach and microfinance providers in Cambodia
and Philippines, penetration rates were only 3.2 percent and 1.4
percent, respectively," the report said.
As of end-2011, the Philippines had 14,935 microfinance providers, which
the ADB said was due to the large number of cooperatives that have
microfinance operations.
The ADB said that Viet Nam leads the six countries studied in the
report, in terms of the scale and outreach of microfinance services, as
well as in terms of penetration rates.
The report said that this was achieved by Viet Nam with heavy subsidies
to the state-owned Viet Nam Bank for Social Policy.
"Cambodia, Pakistan, and the Philippines, despite their well-established
policy and regulatory frameworks, were far from the scale and outreach
of Viet Nam," the report said.
"However, the microfinance industry in these countries is commercially
oriented, offering more diverse products and services to clients with
more licensed or formal institutions operating in the market," the study
added.
The ADB said that the six countries studied represent 33 percent or $916
million of the agency's microfinance portfolio in 2000 to 2010.
Pakistan received the largest amount of assistance with $488.9 million.
The Philippines had the second largest share of microfinance support
from the ADB among the six countries with 19 percent or $173 million, of
which $150 million was a sector development program loan approved in 2005.
"These two countries received the major share of the assistance among
the six countries due to their relatively large program loans, which
covered comprehensive policy reforms and capacity development for the
sector," the ADB said.
The report said that the ADB support had effective results for creating
a policy environment conducive to microfinance in Cambodia, Pakistan,
Philippines, and Tajikistan.
"In the Philippines, ADB support enhanced the policy and regulatory
environment by removing regulatory impediments and policy distortions,
which in turn contributed to the growth of the sector," the report said.
The ADB said that microfinance needs to reach more of the poor in Asia
and the Pacific.
The study finds that the penetration of microfinance among the poor in
the entire region remains low.
"As of the end of 2010, some 20 percent of the population living below
the poverty level of $1.25 per day had direct access to microfinance
services in 21 developing countries receiving ADB microfinance support.
This level was below ADB's goals," the agency said.
The report said that around 2.7 billion people worldwide, equivalent to
70 percent of the adult population in the world's developing countries,
have no access to formal financial services, such as savings or checking
accounts.
They represent a key and still largely untapped market segment for
financial inclusion, the ADB said.
"Improvements in the policy environment and integrating microfinance in
the formal financial sector do not automatically improve outreach to the
poor. Deliberate and innovative approaches are needed to benefit more
people currently not reached by traditional financial institutions,"
Vinod Thomas, Director General of Independent Evaluation, said.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Big lenders released P7.6B worth of micro loans in H1
Big lenders released P7.6B worth of micro loans in H1
Published on Tuesday, 16 October 2012 19:58 Written by Jun Vallecera /
Reporter
THE business of extending micro loans is fast catching up with the more
formal lending activities of large lenders, with 182 banks extending
P7.6 billion worth of micro credits as at end-June this year.
This amounted to growth averaging 10.5 percent, including lending to
so-called small and medium scale enterprises or SMEs and compares
favorably against big bank-lending growth averaging 14 percent as at
end-August, based on data obtained from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
(BSP).
"On this point, 182 banks had P7.6 billion in microfinance loans
outstanding to cover a million small entrepreneurs as of end-June 2012.
Overall microfinance deposits have also increased enough to fund over
half of the microfinance loan portfolio," said Deputy BSP Gov. Nestor A.
Espenilla Jr.
The numbers indicate loan activities averaging P10,000 or less should
soon approximate the lending growth posted by large lenders such as
Banco de Oro, the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. or even the Bank of
the Philippine Islands.
It was earlier hoped microloan activities should prove robust this year
as the financial literacy campaign of both the BSP and the banks
themselves gain more traction.
Espenilla expressed optimism the pace of lending in the micro-loan
sphere will continue to rise going forward.
"We have introduced new products in the microfinance market while
engineering a calibrated lowering of regulatory requirements without
sacrificing on prudential oversight," he said of such products as
microinsurance, microhousing, micro-agri and more recently the
microfinance plus program now sold by microfinance institutions around
the country.
He likewise noted the acceleration of lending in the SME sector where
loan growth was in excess of 10 percent as of latest.
"But more than the growth rate, we are also seeing more favourable
terms," Espenilla said.
Technology has also made it more efficient for the various microfinance
institutions to extend and widen their services even as the number of
banks has declined due to consolidation.
Apart from more branches and automated teller machine deployment,
innovative structures such as micro-banking offices and loan collection
and disbursement points have likewise increased the credit access
points, he said.
Espenilla said there are not 26 so-called electronic money issuers,
197,500 registered mobile banking users and 12,918 cash-in/cash-out
agents that reach even the most remote points of the country that
traditional bank units refuse to service.
He said the milestones achieved thus far in the micro- lending space
have since been recognized internationally.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Published on Tuesday, 16 October 2012 19:58 Written by Jun Vallecera /
Reporter
THE business of extending micro loans is fast catching up with the more
formal lending activities of large lenders, with 182 banks extending
P7.6 billion worth of micro credits as at end-June this year.
This amounted to growth averaging 10.5 percent, including lending to
so-called small and medium scale enterprises or SMEs and compares
favorably against big bank-lending growth averaging 14 percent as at
end-August, based on data obtained from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
(BSP).
"On this point, 182 banks had P7.6 billion in microfinance loans
outstanding to cover a million small entrepreneurs as of end-June 2012.
Overall microfinance deposits have also increased enough to fund over
half of the microfinance loan portfolio," said Deputy BSP Gov. Nestor A.
Espenilla Jr.
The numbers indicate loan activities averaging P10,000 or less should
soon approximate the lending growth posted by large lenders such as
Banco de Oro, the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. or even the Bank of
the Philippine Islands.
It was earlier hoped microloan activities should prove robust this year
as the financial literacy campaign of both the BSP and the banks
themselves gain more traction.
Espenilla expressed optimism the pace of lending in the micro-loan
sphere will continue to rise going forward.
"We have introduced new products in the microfinance market while
engineering a calibrated lowering of regulatory requirements without
sacrificing on prudential oversight," he said of such products as
microinsurance, microhousing, micro-agri and more recently the
microfinance plus program now sold by microfinance institutions around
the country.
He likewise noted the acceleration of lending in the SME sector where
loan growth was in excess of 10 percent as of latest.
"But more than the growth rate, we are also seeing more favourable
terms," Espenilla said.
Technology has also made it more efficient for the various microfinance
institutions to extend and widen their services even as the number of
banks has declined due to consolidation.
Apart from more branches and automated teller machine deployment,
innovative structures such as micro-banking offices and loan collection
and disbursement points have likewise increased the credit access
points, he said.
Espenilla said there are not 26 so-called electronic money issuers,
197,500 registered mobile banking users and 12,918 cash-in/cash-out
agents that reach even the most remote points of the country that
traditional bank units refuse to service.
He said the milestones achieved thus far in the micro- lending space
have since been recognized internationally.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC warns of Ponzi scheme offering 40% returns
SEC warns of Ponzi scheme offering 40% returns
BY RAPPLER.COM
Posted on 10/10/2012 3:28 PM | Updated 10/10/2012 3:28 PM
MANILA, Philippines - The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is
warning the public of a P244-million double-your-money scam by
Pasay-based Aman Futures Group Phils. Inc. which allegedly lured
investors with up to 40% returns in just 20 or 30 days.
In its October 8 cease-and-desist order, the SEC said its 5-man
commission prohibited Aman Futures and its officials from further
soliciting investments from the public after allegedly collecting around
P244 million from clients in Pagadian City and other parts of Visayas
and Mindanao.
"Unless restrained…[Aman Futures would] operate as a fraud on investors
or is otherwise likely to cause grade or irreparable injury or prejudice
to the investing public," SEC chair Teresita Herbosa told reporters,
adding that the SEC will then "find basis for a criminal complaint."
The order was the result of a probe by the corporate regulator's
Enforcement Prosecution Department, which found that Aman Futures sold
investment contracts -- commodity futures contacts, in particular --
without an SEC license. Under the Securities Regulation Code, no
securities can be sold to the public without prior approval of the SEC.
The SEC said Aman Futures reportedly funneled its client's money to the
firm's dollar account with brokerage Okachi (Malaysia) Sd. Bhd., which
engages in futures trading of commodities such as oil, manganese, palm
oil and nickel.
They said Aman Futures accepted investments or money placements via
checks or bank transfers and at the end of a 20- to 30-day period, the
firm would return the principal plus profits ranging from 15% to 40%.
The probe was triggered by several complaints from the public and other
government agencies, citing Aman Futures' promise to invest the clients'
funds in commodities abroad, specifically in Malaysia.
When summoned, officials of Aman Futures told the SEC hearing that the
firm's chairman and chief executive officer Manuel K.Amalilio was a
veteran trader in commodities in Malaysia and Japan.
"The transactions were done in good faith without knowing fully well
that there is a need for a special permit or secondary license to engage
in such," Aman Futures argued, according to SEC.
"To forestall grave damage and prejudice to all concerned and ensure
preservation of assets for the benefit of investors, Aman Futures and
any of its representatives are enjoined from transacting any business
involving the funds in its depository banks and from transferring or
conveying in any other manner all assets, properties of which the they
have any interest, until further orders from this Commission," the SEC
said in its order. - Rappler.com
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
BY RAPPLER.COM
Posted on 10/10/2012 3:28 PM | Updated 10/10/2012 3:28 PM
MANILA, Philippines - The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is
warning the public of a P244-million double-your-money scam by
Pasay-based Aman Futures Group Phils. Inc. which allegedly lured
investors with up to 40% returns in just 20 or 30 days.
In its October 8 cease-and-desist order, the SEC said its 5-man
commission prohibited Aman Futures and its officials from further
soliciting investments from the public after allegedly collecting around
P244 million from clients in Pagadian City and other parts of Visayas
and Mindanao.
"Unless restrained…[Aman Futures would] operate as a fraud on investors
or is otherwise likely to cause grade or irreparable injury or prejudice
to the investing public," SEC chair Teresita Herbosa told reporters,
adding that the SEC will then "find basis for a criminal complaint."
The order was the result of a probe by the corporate regulator's
Enforcement Prosecution Department, which found that Aman Futures sold
investment contracts -- commodity futures contacts, in particular --
without an SEC license. Under the Securities Regulation Code, no
securities can be sold to the public without prior approval of the SEC.
The SEC said Aman Futures reportedly funneled its client's money to the
firm's dollar account with brokerage Okachi (Malaysia) Sd. Bhd., which
engages in futures trading of commodities such as oil, manganese, palm
oil and nickel.
They said Aman Futures accepted investments or money placements via
checks or bank transfers and at the end of a 20- to 30-day period, the
firm would return the principal plus profits ranging from 15% to 40%.
The probe was triggered by several complaints from the public and other
government agencies, citing Aman Futures' promise to invest the clients'
funds in commodities abroad, specifically in Malaysia.
When summoned, officials of Aman Futures told the SEC hearing that the
firm's chairman and chief executive officer Manuel K.Amalilio was a
veteran trader in commodities in Malaysia and Japan.
"The transactions were done in good faith without knowing fully well
that there is a need for a special permit or secondary license to engage
in such," Aman Futures argued, according to SEC.
"To forestall grave damage and prejudice to all concerned and ensure
preservation of assets for the benefit of investors, Aman Futures and
any of its representatives are enjoined from transacting any business
involving the funds in its depository banks and from transferring or
conveying in any other manner all assets, properties of which the they
have any interest, until further orders from this Commission," the SEC
said in its order. - Rappler.com
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, October 11, 2012
BPI pushes use of electronic banking channels
THE BANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI), the country's third largest in
terms of assets, is pushing the use of its electronic banking channels
to more clients given their convenience, an official yesterday said.
BPI assistant vice-president Carlo S. Gatuslao said more than 1.1
million account holders, representing more than 25% of the bank's four
million client base, regularly conduct their transactions through
electronic means.
"We target to have more clients using our various electronic channels
under the BPI 24/7 Banking platform. We aim to increase this figure by
about 30% annually," Mr. Gatuslao told BusinessWorld in an interview
yesterday.
He said BPI 24/7 Banking offers phone banking, mobile banking and online
banking, which allow clients to do their transactions without even going
to the bank's branches.
"These electronic channels enable clients to transact anytime, anywhere,
using the device of their choice, at their own convenience," he said.
BPI, together with Zest Airways Inc. (Zest Air) and the Philippine Hotel
Reservations Service Inc. (PHRS) yesterday launched a travel and rewards
program to get more bank clients to do their business through the
telephone, mobile phone or the Internet.
Called "Get Out More," the program gives BPI clients a chance to win an
all-expense paid trip for four to any of the top seven tourist
destinations in the country just by paying bills online, over the phone,
or through their mobile phones.
Manuel C. Tagaza, BPI senior vice president and head of the electronic
channels group, said every bill worth at least P50 that has been
successfully paid using any of the bank's electronic channels entitles
account holders to a raffle ticket.
"We at BPI promise our clients fast, easy and secure electronic banking,
so they have more time for the things that matter," Mr. Tagaza told
reporters yesterday.
"The 'Get Out More' campaign is an illustration of how rewarding it is
to bank with us. With BPI 24/7 Banking, getting out is more easy," he added.
Seven winners will receive an all-expense-paid trip to either Bohol,
Davao, Boracay, Cebu, Legazpi, Iloilo or Puerto Princesa.
Each winner will receive round-trip airfare transfers for four via Zest
Air, hotel accommodations for three days and two nights, and pocket
money worth P24,700. -- Jeffrey O. Valisno
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
terms of assets, is pushing the use of its electronic banking channels
to more clients given their convenience, an official yesterday said.
BPI assistant vice-president Carlo S. Gatuslao said more than 1.1
million account holders, representing more than 25% of the bank's four
million client base, regularly conduct their transactions through
electronic means.
"We target to have more clients using our various electronic channels
under the BPI 24/7 Banking platform. We aim to increase this figure by
about 30% annually," Mr. Gatuslao told BusinessWorld in an interview
yesterday.
He said BPI 24/7 Banking offers phone banking, mobile banking and online
banking, which allow clients to do their transactions without even going
to the bank's branches.
"These electronic channels enable clients to transact anytime, anywhere,
using the device of their choice, at their own convenience," he said.
BPI, together with Zest Airways Inc. (Zest Air) and the Philippine Hotel
Reservations Service Inc. (PHRS) yesterday launched a travel and rewards
program to get more bank clients to do their business through the
telephone, mobile phone or the Internet.
Called "Get Out More," the program gives BPI clients a chance to win an
all-expense paid trip for four to any of the top seven tourist
destinations in the country just by paying bills online, over the phone,
or through their mobile phones.
Manuel C. Tagaza, BPI senior vice president and head of the electronic
channels group, said every bill worth at least P50 that has been
successfully paid using any of the bank's electronic channels entitles
account holders to a raffle ticket.
"We at BPI promise our clients fast, easy and secure electronic banking,
so they have more time for the things that matter," Mr. Tagaza told
reporters yesterday.
"The 'Get Out More' campaign is an illustration of how rewarding it is
to bank with us. With BPI 24/7 Banking, getting out is more easy," he added.
Seven winners will receive an all-expense-paid trip to either Bohol,
Davao, Boracay, Cebu, Legazpi, Iloilo or Puerto Princesa.
Each winner will receive round-trip airfare transfers for four via Zest
Air, hotel accommodations for three days and two nights, and pocket
money worth P24,700. -- Jeffrey O. Valisno
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
BSP approves 86 bank office applications
BSP approves 86 bank office applications
THE CENTRAL bank approved 86 applications for new banking offices in the
second quarter as banks continued to expand their presence across the
country.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) issued Circular Letter No.
CL-2012-071 dated Oct. 5, announcing its approval of 86 bank office
applications, composed of applications for 76 regular branches, eight
"other banking" offices, and 2 extension offices.
Banks that made the applications included BDO Unibank, Inc., East West
Banking Corp., Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., and Security Bank Corp.
Most of the applications were for bank offices located in the provinces,
except for a few, such as those filed by EastWest for branches in the
formerly restricted cities of Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, Parañaque,
Pasay, Pasig, Quezon and San Juan.
Under the first phase of a BSP initiative lifting branching
restrictions, banks with less than 200 branches in these cities may put
up additional branches until June 30, 2014. These cities will be opened
to all banks, except rural and cooperative banks, after this date.
In the first quarter, the central bank had approved 97 applications for
new banking offices.
Circular Letter No. 071 also showed 77 new banking offices were opened
during the second quarter, bringing the total number of head and other
offices to 9,207 as of end-June.
Among those that opened new offices were Metrobank, which opened nine
branches; Security Bank with nine branches; EastWest with six branches;
and Philippine Savings Bank with five branches.
In the first half of the year, the number of bank branches rose to 8,495
from 8,176 in the same period last year even as the number of head
offices fell to 712 from 739.
BSP Deputy Governor Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr. last week said the growing
number of banking offices indicated a healthy banking system as banks
continuously reach out to the unbanked areas or those without formal
access to financial services.
Universal and commercial banks accounted for 54% of the total number of
bank offices, followed by rural and cooperative banks, then by thrift
banks. -- Kathleen A. Martin
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
THE CENTRAL bank approved 86 applications for new banking offices in the
second quarter as banks continued to expand their presence across the
country.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) issued Circular Letter No.
CL-2012-071 dated Oct. 5, announcing its approval of 86 bank office
applications, composed of applications for 76 regular branches, eight
"other banking" offices, and 2 extension offices.
Banks that made the applications included BDO Unibank, Inc., East West
Banking Corp., Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., and Security Bank Corp.
Most of the applications were for bank offices located in the provinces,
except for a few, such as those filed by EastWest for branches in the
formerly restricted cities of Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, Parañaque,
Pasay, Pasig, Quezon and San Juan.
Under the first phase of a BSP initiative lifting branching
restrictions, banks with less than 200 branches in these cities may put
up additional branches until June 30, 2014. These cities will be opened
to all banks, except rural and cooperative banks, after this date.
In the first quarter, the central bank had approved 97 applications for
new banking offices.
Circular Letter No. 071 also showed 77 new banking offices were opened
during the second quarter, bringing the total number of head and other
offices to 9,207 as of end-June.
Among those that opened new offices were Metrobank, which opened nine
branches; Security Bank with nine branches; EastWest with six branches;
and Philippine Savings Bank with five branches.
In the first half of the year, the number of bank branches rose to 8,495
from 8,176 in the same period last year even as the number of head
offices fell to 712 from 739.
BSP Deputy Governor Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr. last week said the growing
number of banking offices indicated a healthy banking system as banks
continuously reach out to the unbanked areas or those without formal
access to financial services.
Universal and commercial banks accounted for 54% of the total number of
bank offices, followed by rural and cooperative banks, then by thrift
banks. -- Kathleen A. Martin
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Gov't rolls out digital reform initiatives
Gov't rolls out digital reform initiatives
By Iris C. Gonzales (The Philippine Star) Updated October 10, 2012 12:00
AM Comments (0)
MANILA, Philippines - The Aquino administration is rolling out various
digital reform initiatives including a cashless purchase system, the
distribution of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) benefits through
mobile phone as well as the shift to electronic banking for the
distribution of benefits to retired military and police personnel, the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said yesterday.
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said that these digital reform measures
reflect the administration's commitment to improved governance. "Since
the beginning of the Aquino administration, we've emphasized our
commitment to improved governance, and it's increasingly clear to us
that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) will be a valuable
instrument in achieving this," Abad said.
He said these initiatives have been well received during the official
launch last month of the Better Than Cash (BTC) Alliance in New York
City, a movement that urges governments to shift to digitization.
Among the administration's digitization programs are the shift to
electronic banking for the distribution of benefits to retired military
and police personnel.
Another initiative is the move to dispense CCT benefits via mobile phone
transactions.
The administration is also pushing for the Cashless Card Purchase
system, which will be piloted by the Department of National Defense (DND).
"This initiative will enable government personnel to use a card linked
to an online system for authorized purchases, and allow easier
monitoring of government transactions, facilitate accurate liquidation
and auditing, and ensure efficient and transparent financial management
in government agencies," he said.
Another initiative is the National Payroll System (NPS), which is
currently tested by six pilot agencies.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
By Iris C. Gonzales (The Philippine Star) Updated October 10, 2012 12:00
AM Comments (0)
MANILA, Philippines - The Aquino administration is rolling out various
digital reform initiatives including a cashless purchase system, the
distribution of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) benefits through
mobile phone as well as the shift to electronic banking for the
distribution of benefits to retired military and police personnel, the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said yesterday.
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said that these digital reform measures
reflect the administration's commitment to improved governance. "Since
the beginning of the Aquino administration, we've emphasized our
commitment to improved governance, and it's increasingly clear to us
that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) will be a valuable
instrument in achieving this," Abad said.
He said these initiatives have been well received during the official
launch last month of the Better Than Cash (BTC) Alliance in New York
City, a movement that urges governments to shift to digitization.
Among the administration's digitization programs are the shift to
electronic banking for the distribution of benefits to retired military
and police personnel.
Another initiative is the move to dispense CCT benefits via mobile phone
transactions.
The administration is also pushing for the Cashless Card Purchase
system, which will be piloted by the Department of National Defense (DND).
"This initiative will enable government personnel to use a card linked
to an online system for authorized purchases, and allow easier
monitoring of government transactions, facilitate accurate liquidation
and auditing, and ensure efficient and transparent financial management
in government agencies," he said.
Another initiative is the National Payroll System (NPS), which is
currently tested by six pilot agencies.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Sari-sari store owners get lift from Sun Life, Hapinoy
Sari-sari store owners get lift from Sun Life, Hapinoy
By Tina Arceo-DumlaoPhilippine Daily Inquirer
The sari-sari, or variety, store is among the easiest businesses to get into, such that even the poorest of the poor manage to set up one even with just a few hundred pesos in capital.
But then the sari-sari store might as well be also called the “sara-sara” store because many of these neighborhood stores shut down just a few months after they are opened, and one of the main reasons behind the closure of these ventures is poor financial management.
According to Timothy John Agulto, executive director of MicroVentures Foundation, which manages the Hapinoy microenterprise development program that supports sari-sari stores in the Philippines, the failure to collect credit extended to customers is one of the most common missteps of microentrepreneurs.
Considering how small the profit margin is in sari-sari store operations, failure to collect the debt will have a profound impact as the sari-sari store owner will no longer have enough money to buy more goods to fill the store. Eventually, they crumble under the weight of uncollected credit.
Many sari-sari store owners also fail to develop the habit of listing down basic financial information they need to get a clearer picture of their sari-sari store’s costs, expenses and sales. Because of this oversight, they tend to spend more than they should. Their spending eats into their capital because they think that they are already earning so much. As for savings, it is practically nonexistent.
This vicious cycle of sari-sari stores opening and shutting down is what MicroVentures Foundation and Sun Life Philippines-Foundation want to end through such seminars such as the Sari-Saring Negosyong Training and Masaya’t Masaganang Pamilya and the Community Store Continuing Education Program.
The Sari-Saring Negosyong Training program aims to teach participants best practices in operating their own business, particularly in managing expenses and handling the day-to-day operations of the store. It also includes modules on how to create and organize inventory and the important basics of financial management.
“The challenge for the entrepreneurial poor is not in setting up the sari-sari stores, but rather in keeping them open,” says Agulto. “Through this seminar, we teach the sari-store owners such basics as listing everything down, and noting how much they earned and sold.”
MicroVentures has rolled out the SNTP in Sorsogon, Bulacan and Pandacan in Manila for the small entrepreneurs belonging to the Hapinoy program. Some 500 sari-sari store owners earning about P500 a day have benefited from the training. One of the main lessons the participants learned was how to systematize and organize their stores.
The Masaya’t Masaganang Pamilya seminar, on the other hand, is meant to fill the need to further hone the entrepreneurial skills of the sari-sari store owners, and at the same time, strengthen relationships with their children and especially their spouses, who are usually their partners in running the sari-sari store.
The Community Store Continuing Education Program, meanwhile, is a more intensive program lasting six to 12 months. It is designed to help the more experienced sari-sari store owners level up their operations by becoming more efficient and carrying more than just basic items.
According to Agulto, the first stage of the continuing education program involves improving the efficiency of sari-sari store operations, followed by product diversification so that the owners can sell products such as phone credits, bread, generic medicine and solar lamps that have a higher profit margin.
Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation executive director Veron Estrella says the foundation supports the MicroVentures seminars because they contribute to the general thrust of Sun Life to promote financial management in the Philippines.
“We see the partnership as a perfect fit, as it is about embracing the principles of financial management that are also being espoused by our own ‘It’s Time’ financial literacy advocacy,” explains Estrella. “If you see the salient points of the project, each one resonates. Hapinoy or MicroVentures is about empowering challenged families to generate savings.”
Estrella says that Sun Life and MicroVentures started discussing the partnership last year, but was only formalized in March this year. The agreement calls for the provision of a grant from Sun Life to finance the formulation of the training modules and the rollout of the seminars over the next two years.
This way, bo
-- --------------------------------------------------------------------- CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031 Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT) Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM) My Websites: CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/ My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com Family website - http://www.anifamily.net Skype name: carlosaniph --------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, October 6, 2012
COA Audit finds Philippines lost $2.46 billion to anomalies
Audit finds Philippines lost $2.46 billion to anomalies
State auditors say the Philippines lost $2.46 billion through misuse of
state funds and assets during the latter years of Arroyo's rule. (AP)
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
Saturday 6 October 2012
Last Update 6 October 2012 2:19 pm
MANILA: The Philippines lost $2.46 billion through misuse of state funds
and assets during the latter years of graft-tainted ex-president Gloria
Arroyo's rule, government auditors said Saturday.
The Commission on Audit highlighted anomalies that mostly occurred in
the 2007-2009 period in its investigation of government agencies last year.
"Most audit findings categorically indicate pecuniary loss on the part
of the government, as a result of violations of law, rules and
regulations," said the report, first posted on its website Saturday.
More than 4,000 cases of unauthorized expenses, unaccounted for cash
advances, uncollected duties, fictitious claims, missing assets, or
abandoned projects, cost the government 101.82 billion pesos ($2.46
billion), it said.
The total is equivalent to 5.6 percent of the country's budget this year.
Its conditional cash transfer program, where poor families get monthly
stipends in exchange for keeping their children in school, could not
account for 3.77 billion pesos.
Two state banks lent large sums unsecured by hard collateral, while
Manila airport left 21 abandoned aircraft parked in an area exposed to
natural elements, leading to their deterioration, despite being given
funding to house them.
Among the biggest items were 1.862 billion pesos in cash advances to two
government treasurers in the impoverished province of Maguindanao and
1.123 billion pesos in payments to "spurious" suppliers to a Muslim
self-rule area.
Chief state auditor Grace Tan said in a letter sent to Manila newspapers
Saturday that the audit covered items mostly relating to accounts prior
to 2010, when Aquino was elected to office on an anti-corruption platform.
"Pecuniary loss does not necessarily result from graft, and it is only
the courts that can make judgment of graft," Tan said.
Aquino has asked a special anti-graft prosecutor to file criminal
charges against people deemed responsible for 744 of the cases, the
auditors said.
The other cases are under investigation.
Arroyo was arrested and detained at a military hospital in Manila on
Thursday after allegedly using diverting 366 million pesos in state
lottery funds meant for charity programs into her election campaign kitty.
After being president for nearly 10 years, Arroyo was initially charged
in November last year with vote fraud for allegedly conspiring to rig
the 2007 senatorial elections, but later posted bail.
Her spokesmen did not reply to AFP's requests for comment.
Aquino spokeswoman Abigail Valte told reporters Saturday: "We have not
become complacent in our anti-corruption measures."
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
State auditors say the Philippines lost $2.46 billion through misuse of
state funds and assets during the latter years of Arroyo's rule. (AP)
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
Saturday 6 October 2012
Last Update 6 October 2012 2:19 pm
MANILA: The Philippines lost $2.46 billion through misuse of state funds
and assets during the latter years of graft-tainted ex-president Gloria
Arroyo's rule, government auditors said Saturday.
The Commission on Audit highlighted anomalies that mostly occurred in
the 2007-2009 period in its investigation of government agencies last year.
"Most audit findings categorically indicate pecuniary loss on the part
of the government, as a result of violations of law, rules and
regulations," said the report, first posted on its website Saturday.
More than 4,000 cases of unauthorized expenses, unaccounted for cash
advances, uncollected duties, fictitious claims, missing assets, or
abandoned projects, cost the government 101.82 billion pesos ($2.46
billion), it said.
The total is equivalent to 5.6 percent of the country's budget this year.
Its conditional cash transfer program, where poor families get monthly
stipends in exchange for keeping their children in school, could not
account for 3.77 billion pesos.
Two state banks lent large sums unsecured by hard collateral, while
Manila airport left 21 abandoned aircraft parked in an area exposed to
natural elements, leading to their deterioration, despite being given
funding to house them.
Among the biggest items were 1.862 billion pesos in cash advances to two
government treasurers in the impoverished province of Maguindanao and
1.123 billion pesos in payments to "spurious" suppliers to a Muslim
self-rule area.
Chief state auditor Grace Tan said in a letter sent to Manila newspapers
Saturday that the audit covered items mostly relating to accounts prior
to 2010, when Aquino was elected to office on an anti-corruption platform.
"Pecuniary loss does not necessarily result from graft, and it is only
the courts that can make judgment of graft," Tan said.
Aquino has asked a special anti-graft prosecutor to file criminal
charges against people deemed responsible for 744 of the cases, the
auditors said.
The other cases are under investigation.
Arroyo was arrested and detained at a military hospital in Manila on
Thursday after allegedly using diverting 366 million pesos in state
lottery funds meant for charity programs into her election campaign kitty.
After being president for nearly 10 years, Arroyo was initially charged
in November last year with vote fraud for allegedly conspiring to rig
the 2007 senatorial elections, but later posted bail.
Her spokesmen did not reply to AFP's requests for comment.
Aquino spokeswoman Abigail Valte told reporters Saturday: "We have not
become complacent in our anti-corruption measures."
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
BSP: BPI has right to increase ATM charges
BSP: BPI has right to increase ATM charges
Sunday, 30 September 2012 19:29 Jun Vallecera / Reporter
THE unilateral decision by the Bank of the Philippine Islands to raise
its automated teller machine (ATM) transaction charges by 50 percent was
an event uniquely its own and may not be questioned, according to the
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
Anyone with misgivings about having to pay P5 more for transactions
conducted by non-BPI cardholders at any of BPI's 1,900 ATMs across the
country could always take their business elsewhere, the regulator said.
"They [BPI] obviously have to deal with negative customer reaction who
are free to decide to take their patronage elsewhere. And they [non-BPI
cardholders] have many other options," Deputy BSP Gov. Nestor A.
Espenilla Jr. said on Sunday.
This pertains to the decision by BPI of setting a higher charge of P15
for every transaction conducted at its network of ATMs by non-BPI
clients beginning Oct. 22 this year, from a charge of only P10 per
transaction for now.
BPI has already posted a notice at its website for this purpose and
rival banks were seen to hike higher ATM transaction charges of their own.
Espenilla said higher maintenance costs played a critical part in the
bank's decision.
"Maintaining ATM services is not costless. Cost was clearly a factor,"
he said.
But while banks like BPI are free to make appropriate cost adjustments
as and when they see fit, regulators may intervene in those cases when
industry-wide collusion is suspected, BSP Gov. Amando M. Tetangco Jr.
said in a text message.
"If they [ATM cardholder] find the price increase unreasonable, perhaps
choices with respect to other banks can be considered. But when the
industry as a whole raises their rates, this is typically where the BSP
checks if it looks like collusion," the regulator said.
Rita Canchela, Head of Corporate Communications at BPI, vowed to issue a
statement putting into perspective the need to hike the lender's
transaction charges on Saturday but none was received by the
BusinessMirror as of press time.
Nevertheless, the president and chief executive at the Philippine
Savings Bank, Pascual M, Garcia III, acknowledged the ATM fee hike was
made compulsory by the decision of the BSP excluding bank funds deployed
at the various ATM networks as no longer forming part of the
deposit-reserve system.
That decision had cost consequences for every bank with an ATM network
as their non-reserve eligible status meant funds that used to generate
earn interest income from the central bank no longer have that power to
draw income.
"Cash held in ATMs is no longer reserve eligible so we incur interest
costs for keeping them in ATMs until they get withdrawn," Garcia said.
PSB is the thrift unit of the universal lender Metropolitan Bank and
Trust Co. and one of BPI's toughest competitors in the lending space.
BPI President and Chief Executive Officer Aurelio R. Montinola III had
said the cost implications for the lender is very significant because
they deploy some P2 billion worth of funds everyday just to replenish
depleted ATMs.
Deployment volumes are more than double on long weekends and on
holidays, Montinola said.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
SEEDFINANCE Corporation - http://www.seedfinance.net
DEVJOBS - http://www.devjobsmail.com
PHILDEVFINANCE - http://phildevfinance.posterous.com
http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
FORWARD PHILIPPINES - http://forwardphilippines.wordpress.com/
My News Clippings - http://www.myclipps.posterous.com
Family website - http://www.anifamily.net
Skype name: carlosaniph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, 30 September 2012 19:29 Jun Vallecera / Reporter
THE unilateral decision by the Bank of the Philippine Islands to raise
its automated teller machine (ATM) transaction charges by 50 percent was
an event uniquely its own and may not be questioned, according to the
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
Anyone with misgivings about having to pay P5 more for transactions
conducted by non-BPI cardholders at any of BPI's 1,900 ATMs across the
country could always take their business elsewhere, the regulator said.
"They [BPI] obviously have to deal with negative customer reaction who
are free to decide to take their patronage elsewhere. And they [non-BPI
cardholders] have many other options," Deputy BSP Gov. Nestor A.
Espenilla Jr. said on Sunday.
This pertains to the decision by BPI of setting a higher charge of P15
for every transaction conducted at its network of ATMs by non-BPI
clients beginning Oct. 22 this year, from a charge of only P10 per
transaction for now.
BPI has already posted a notice at its website for this purpose and
rival banks were seen to hike higher ATM transaction charges of their own.
Espenilla said higher maintenance costs played a critical part in the
bank's decision.
"Maintaining ATM services is not costless. Cost was clearly a factor,"
he said.
But while banks like BPI are free to make appropriate cost adjustments
as and when they see fit, regulators may intervene in those cases when
industry-wide collusion is suspected, BSP Gov. Amando M. Tetangco Jr.
said in a text message.
"If they [ATM cardholder] find the price increase unreasonable, perhaps
choices with respect to other banks can be considered. But when the
industry as a whole raises their rates, this is typically where the BSP
checks if it looks like collusion," the regulator said.
Rita Canchela, Head of Corporate Communications at BPI, vowed to issue a
statement putting into perspective the need to hike the lender's
transaction charges on Saturday but none was received by the
BusinessMirror as of press time.
Nevertheless, the president and chief executive at the Philippine
Savings Bank, Pascual M, Garcia III, acknowledged the ATM fee hike was
made compulsory by the decision of the BSP excluding bank funds deployed
at the various ATM networks as no longer forming part of the
deposit-reserve system.
That decision had cost consequences for every bank with an ATM network
as their non-reserve eligible status meant funds that used to generate
earn interest income from the central bank no longer have that power to
draw income.
"Cash held in ATMs is no longer reserve eligible so we incur interest
costs for keeping them in ATMs until they get withdrawn," Garcia said.
PSB is the thrift unit of the universal lender Metropolitan Bank and
Trust Co. and one of BPI's toughest competitors in the lending space.
BPI President and Chief Executive Officer Aurelio R. Montinola III had
said the cost implications for the lender is very significant because
they deploy some P2 billion worth of funds everyday just to replenish
depleted ATMs.
Deployment volumes are more than double on long weekends and on
holidays, Montinola said.
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CARLOS ANI - International Microfinance Consultant - SEEDFINANCE Corporation Chairman
Mailing address: PO Box 90 UPLB Los Banos Laguna, Philippines 4031
Emails: carlosani@gmail.com , carlosani@seedfinance.net
Landline Phone: +63495010127 (PLDT)
Cellphone Numbers: +63926277-8044 (TM)
My Websites:
CARLOSANI.COM - http://www.carlosani.com
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http://phildevfinance.blogspot.com
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