The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) granted clearance for the conduct of the 2022 Countryside Bank Survey (CBS) of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC). The survey will be conducted in coordination with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. This study is envisioned to provide significant purview of how the banks incorporated the provisions of the expanded Agri Agra Law or Republic Act No. 11901 into their operations, including the problems and challenges banks have experienced in lending to agriculture, fisheries, and agrarian sectors.

The CBS aims to analyze trends and present emerging policy issues on bank behavior towards lending to the agriculture, fisheries and agrarian reform sectors using branch level data. Specifically:
       a. Determines the extent and behavior of banks towards lending to agriculture sector
       b. Compile and analyze indicators of demand for loans and debt position of agricultural borrowers
       c. Generates indicators on the costs and profitability of agricultural lending
       d. Identifies factors and risk management measures that would encourage banks to increase loans to agriculture sector

Major data items to be collected in the survey are as follows:
       a. Demand for loan products and services
       b. Loans and borrowers
       c. Interest rates and other loan charges
       d. Borrowers’ repayment performance and debt position
       e. Risk management mechanisms
       f. Problems and challenges in lending to agriculture
       g. Profitability of bank branch/office operation
       h. Plans on relending to agriculture

A total of PhP 1.6 million will be utilized to interview 10,555 bank offices/branches (excluding branch-lite offices, and lending centers of all types of banks) in December 2023. The results are expected to be released from March to May 2024.

The survey 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
       e. Achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the PSA enjoins bank managers and other bank officers as authorized by the bank manager to participate in the survey by providing the truthful information.

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