Microfinance Education for the Poor Experiences and Lessons Learned

1
Microfinance Education for the PoorExperiences
and Lessons Learned
Building on Capacity and Education to Expand
Microfinance Access A Presentation of Results and
Experiences from the Technical Assistance in
Enhancing Access of the Poor to Microfinance
Services in Frontier Areas (TA 4544) Implemented
by the NATIONAL ANTI-POVERTY COMMISSION Funded
by the ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

• Presented by
• Jun Jay E. Perez, NAPC Microfinance Unit
• SEAMEO-Innotech, Quezon City
• 22 September 2006

2
Objectives

• Increase awareness and understanding of the
  microfinance clients and potential clients
  regarding the following
• Microfinance industry
• Rights, obligations and responsibilities as
  clients
• The importance of protecting continuous access to
  Microfinance services

3
Objectives

• Equip clients to perform better in accessing
  services of the MFIs
• Communicate effectively their needs and
  requirements to the MFIs
• MFIs to develop appropriate arrangements and
  products to suit the changing needs of the basic
  sectors

4
Approach

• Requested OTM-participating MFIs to assist NAPC
  in organizing the seminars in their respective
  areas
• Targeted 20 seminars for 150 pax per conduct
• NAPC added 3 MFIs for off-site seminars

5
Approach

• NAPC extended the invitation for participation
  to
• Other MFIs in the area where BSS will be
  conducted
• Livelihood and Employment Cluster of RKCGs
• NAPC Basic Sectors

6
Approach

• Resource Persons
• NAPC MFU
• Project Consultants
• MFI Representative

7
Geographic Coverage
8
Participants Classification
9
Common Issues Raised During the Seminar

• MFIs plan to offer innovative products and
  services such as
• Individual Loan
• Microfinance for Agribusiness
• Micro-insurance (health, accident, life, medical)
• Mutual aid/benefit fund

10
Common Issues Raised During the Seminar

• MFIs Loans and Savings policies

11
Common Issues Raised During the Seminar

• Access for marginalized sectors
• Person With Disabilities (PWDs)
• Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs)
• No read and no write individuals

12
Common Issues Raised During the Seminar

• Government support for
• Livelihood training and programs
• Enterprise development training

13
Common Issues Raised During the Seminar

• Government actions to
• Safeguard the interest of clients from unfair
  practices and from informal lenders (5/6)
• Prevent credit pollution

14
Lessons Learned

• Participants broader perspective on microfinance
  helped them better recognize their needs and were
  able to communicate to MFIs
• Access to microfinance is still more important
  consideration of the participants over the price

15
Lessons Learned

• MFI-client feedbacking does not happen on a
  regular basis for some this was the first