Financial Liberalization: What Have We Learnt?

This article attempts to study the Philippine experience with financial liberalization. In particular, it examines the impact of interest rate reforms on the flow of loanable funds in the organized financial market.central bank, financial sector, financial reform, financial liberalization, financial services

Credit Crunch! Credit Crunch! Credit Crunch?

Utilizing macro and micro data, this issue verifies the validity of the claim that there has been a credit crunch since the onset of Asian financial crisis. Results do not lend credence to the hypothesis. Instead, the observed slowdown in the credit market is a reflection of the economic downturn.Asian financial crisis, financial market, money and banking, credit program, credit market, credit access

Addressing Constraints in the Provision of Financial Services to MicSMEs and Poor Households

In order to promote microfinance or the provision of a broad range of financial services to poor and low-income households for their microenterprises and small business endeavors, several financial sector reforms were initiated by the government beginning in the 1990s. Notwithstanding the considerably improved policy environment for microfinance to flourish, however, banks still face a number of constraints in expanding their financial services to the above target beneficiaries. What are these constraints? This Policy Notes outlines some of them and recommends measures to address them.microfinance, poverty, small and medium enterprises, microenterprises

Managing Surges in Capital Inflows: The Philippine Case

The Philippines is one of the countries in Southeast Asia that has experienced massive capital inflows. Being a latecomer in this arena, it can avoid the undesirable effects of these inflows by drawing lessons from the experiences of Latin American and other Asian countries. This paper provides a background and characteristics of capital inflows to developing countries and discusses the issues associated with it. Analysis shows that full sterilization deprives the country of higher investment and growth associated with foreign exchange inflows. This article has been published as a 1994 PIDS discussion paper.competition policy, foreign direct investment, sterilization, capital flows, capital account

Is LandBank EO138 Ready?

The recent reforms and development in the financial market necessitate the reexamination of the role of Land Bank of the Philippines. This issue argues that LBP should focus on its development function and give up its commercial and investment roles. Once LBP is transformed into a market-based microfinance development institution, the creation of Grameen-type bank is dispensable.financial sector, financial reform, financial system, banking system, financial services

Controllability of Various Monetary Aggregates

Analysis of the estimation performed indicates the need for adequate attention over the target aggregates. In the light of other policies undermining monetary control, it is worthwhile to ensure transparency on the central bank’s goal.central bank, money and banking, monetary policy

Beyond Socioeconomic Status: Some Implications for Planned Health Intervention Among the Poor

This paper discusses the insights derived and the lessons learned from two research studies that have been recently conducted among families in rural Leyte, “Determinants of Maternal Health Care Utilization among Rural Women: The Case of Three Barangays in Leyte” and the urban poor of Metro Manila, “Health Seeking Behavior among Families in High Risk Urban Communities.” The discussion, however, is limited to the utilization of health care services among rural and urban poor families, specifically the use of public and private health facilities and the services of the health functionaries.urban management, health sector, urbanization, health care, rural sector

Beyond Socioeconomic Status: Some Implications for Planned Health Intervention Among the Poor

This paper discusses the insights derived and the lessons learned from two research studies that have been recently conducted among families in rural Leyte, “Determinants of Maternal Health Care Utilization among Rural Women: The Case of Three Barangays in Leyte” and the urban poor of Metro Manila, “Health Seeking Behavior among Families in High Risk Urban Communities.” The discussion, however, is limited to the utilization of health care services among rural and urban poor families, specifically the use of public and private health facilities and the services of the health functionaries.urban management, health sector, urbanization, health care, rural sector