ISSUANCE OF IDENTIFICATION CARDS TO POOR MICROFINANCE BENEFICIARIES OF PCFC AND GRANTING RELATED PRIVILEGES THEREFOR

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 8425 designated the People’s Credit and
Finance Corporation (PCFC) as the vehicle for the delivery of
microfinance services for the exclusive use of the poor, and the lead
government entity specifically tasked to mobilize financial resources
from both local and international funding sources for such microfinance
services;

WHEREAS, the process of identification of the poor who will be
granted access to microfinance services is integrated in the PCFC’s
mandate as lead entity for microfinance;

WHEREAS, the use of identification cards to the poor is one
fundamental step that will allow them unhampered access to benefits and
privileges under the law and the government’s program to eradicate
poverty;

WHEREAS, it is imperative that those identified as qualified to
become beneficiaries of the microfinance services be given by the
government holistic support to add flesh and meaning to the government’s
anti-poverty campaign;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, hereby order and direct:

SECTION 1.        The People’s Credit and Finance
Corporation (PCFC), the government agency mandated to provide
microfinance services to the poor to come up with an identification
system of poor microfinance beneficiaries that will provide them easy
access to services provided not only by PCFC but also to every related
service provided by all other government agencies.

SEC. 2.   All agencies under the executive departments
are hereby directed to provide these identified beneficiaries fast and
efficient services under their respective agencies.

SEC. 3.    The basic features and benefits, among other
things, that may be availed by the holder of the I.D. card under the
system shall be as follows:

Given compliance with the minimum requirements of PCFC:

1.      Unhampered access to all the benefits that PCFC provides under its microfinance program;

2.      Additional benefits that PCFC may be able to arrange
with concerned agencies such as discounts and other concessional
arrangements for the provision of consumer goods and services;

3.      Priority in availing of basic needs and services
extended by government agencies like DSWD, DTI, NAPC, DOH, PNP, LGUs,
etc. per criteria for eligibility set by said agencies;

4.      Priority in employment opportunities in government
projects in their locality such as those being undertaken by the DPWH,
DND, DECS and other government owned or controlled corporations, as long
as the individual meets the minimum qualification requirements of the
position needed for employment.

SEC. 4 .   PCFC is authorized to issue guidelines to
implement this Order, and to link up/coordinate with NAPC and all other
agencies involved in the anti-poverty program.

SEC. 5 .   All executive issuances, order, rules, and
regulations inconsistent with the Administrative Order are hereby
revoked, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 6.    This Administrative Order takes effect immediately.

Adopted: 29 Feb 2000

BY THE PRESIDENT:

(SGD.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary