The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) granted clearance for the conduct of the 2021 Mid-term Evaluation of Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA) and Survival and Recovery (SURE) Program.

The PLEA is a loan program by the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) that aims to address the credit needs of the marginal small farmer fisherfolks (MSFF) without collaterals and with low interest rates. On the other hand, SURE is also a loan program by the DA-ACPC that provides interest free and collateral free loan to MSFF of calamity-stricken areas.

The survey aims to assess the performance of PLEA and SURE programs especially in their objective to help their respective borrowers. The survey also aims to establish the baseline information as inputs to the evaluation of these loan programs. Results of the survey are expected to help the implementation of both programs to improve credit access, efficiency in their production, and farm status.

Major data items that will be gathered in the survey are as follows:

a. socio-economic profile;
b. access to credit;
c. loan utilization;
d. farm performance;
e. repayment performance;
f. problems encountered; and
g. perception on loan program.

A total budget amounting to PhP 1.7 million will be utilized in the survey. The survey will collect data from 1,438 program and non-program beneficiaries in target areas in February 2022. Results of the survey are scheduled to be released in March 2022.

This undertaking was reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10625 to:

a. ensure sound design for data collection;
b. minimize the burden placed upon respondents;
c. effect economy in statistical data collection;
d. eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts; and
e. achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the PSA enjoins the PLEA and SURE program beneficiaries to support and participate in the survey by providing the required information.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division (SSD) of the Standards Service (SS) with telephone numbers (02) 8376-1928 and (02) 8376-1931, and email addresses ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph or ssdss.staff@gmail.com.

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General

See more at the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) landing page.