Describes NGO lending programs for microenterprises in the The Philippines which are part of the attempt to reconstruct the country's financial landscape by using semi-formal institutions as intermediaries. Gives background on the programs, their historical context, the premises underlying them. Addresses questions of sustainability and research priorities
Two approaches are examined:
* qualitative change of a limited number of enterprises by offering a comprehensive range of services
* quantitative change by aiming to expand a large number of enterprises through provision of a minimum of services
Raises research issues including:
* how profitable are micro-enterprises, what constrains their growth and what are complementary non-credit requirements?
* what are NGOs real current costs?
* what would be the costs if NGOs provided non-credit complementary inputs and should costs common to several activities like social preparation be apportioned as benefits?
* how can NGOs retain their essential informality?
