Role of microfinance services on living standards and poverty alleviation of low-income households in Mendez-Nuñez, Cavite / by Jhon Peter D. Alcaraz, Kim Bryan A. Alcaraz, Princess Raquel T. De Sagun and Ma. Jhana Clariz O. Salgado.

Thesis (Bachelor of Science in Business Management major in Financial Management) Cavite State University.

Includes bibliographical references.

College of Economics, Management and Development Studies (CEMDS).

ALCARAZ, JHON-PETER D., ALCARAZ, KIM BRYAN A., DE SAGUN, PRINCESS RAQUEL T. and SALGADO MA. JHANA CLARIZ O. Role of Microfinance Services on Living Standard and Poverty Alleviation of Low-Income Households in Mendez-Nuñez, Cavite. Undergraduate Thesis. Bachelor of Science in Business Management major in Financial Management. Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite. August 2022. Adviser: Ms. Jemmalene O. Viado.

Majority of Filipinos were considered to have low-income. The financial difficulties for low-income families also increased. They typically asked for assistance from those who frequently charge excessive interest rates. Contrarily, microfinance entails offering consumers who generally lack access to financial services due to poverty. This study aimed to find the role of microfinance and its services in poverty alleviation and the improvement of the standard of living of low-income households. It was conducted to determine the socioeconomic profile of the participants in terms of: (a) age, (b) sex, (c) civil status, (d) family size, (e) estimated monthly income before joining microfinance, (f) estimated monthly income after joining microfinance and identify the specific microfinance service/s the household acquires. In addition, the study assessed the provision of microfinance services lead to improvement on the standards of living in terms of: (a) asset accumulation, (b) empowerment and dignity, and (c) general services. Lastly, it identified the differences in the households' income before and after acquiring microfinance services. It was conducted from March 2021 to January 2022 in Mendez-Nuñez Cavite, a municipality with a prone and well-developed microfinance sector. The one hundred (100) low-income households were purposely chosen and served as participants. Moreover, the research used a descriptive method in analyzing the data gathered from the participants. The research showed that the participants had a minimal improvement in accumulating assets however, the microfinance services were still able to give much improvement on other factors such as empowering the households and being able to afford general services. Additionally, the result showed the difference between the estimated household monthly income before joining the microfinance and the estimated household monthly income after joining the microfinance. The findings suggested that microfinance has improved people's living standards and helped them get out of poverty, especially for microfinance clients. Clients have also shown great improvement in their basic needs and utilize microfinance to avail of general services. Microfinance was seen as an effective tool for addressing poverty's vicious cycles based on this conclusion. Furthermore, microcredits had facilitated increasing opportunities for the poor. It was thought that there was a clear link between the future expansion of microcredits and the development of small companies. Interestingly, the result showed higher income generated through availing the services of microfinance.

Submitted to the University Library 10/03/2022 T-9096