PHILGUARANTEE Hosts Knowledge Exchange Program with Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund Nepal
The Philippine Guarantee Corporation (PHILGUARANTEE) hosted key officials from Nepal’s Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund (DCGF) for a one-day Knowledge Exchange Program aimed at sharing institutional practices on credit guarantee operations.
Held at the PHILGUARANTEE Headquarters in Makati City on Monday, July 7, the exchange featured a series of technical presentations, open discussions, and networking opportunities, highlighting both organizations’ efforts to expand access to credit through effective guarantee schemes.
PHILGUARANTEE President and CEO Alberto E. Pascual formally welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the presence of DCGF Deputy CEO Usha Kumari Gautam and Deputy Manager Achyut Panta.
He emphasized the importance of cross-border dialogue between institutions that share the same objective of building sustainable and inclusive financial systems. “Thank you as well for reaching out. We truly value this opportunity to engage with you, not only to share our experiences with individual credit guarantee schemes but also to learn from your institutional practices and insights,” PCEO Pascual said.
The exchange covered PHILGUARANTEE’s credit guarantee programs across key sectors, including housing, agriculture, MSMEs, and large enterprises, along with a detailed discussion on its claims processing. Presentations were led by SVP Teresito Cayo A. Butardo (Housing Guarantee Group), SVP Emmanuel R. Torres (Agriculture Guarantee Group), SVP Celso R. Gutierrez (Priority Sectors Guarantee Group), an SVP Nelia O. Oandasan (Business Operations Group).
SVP Butardo underscored housing as the Corporation’s largest guarantee portfolio, sharing how PHILGUARANTEE enables homeownership for low- to middle-income Filipinos by reducing lender risk and offering long-term, affordable loan terms. SVP Torres shared how the Agriculture Guarantee Fund Pool (AGFP) addresses credit access barriers faced by small farmers and fisherfolk. Through risk-sharing arrangements with banks, cooperatives, and microfinance institutions, the AGFP cushions lending risks and integrates unbanked rural borrowers into the formal credit system. Since 2019, it has guaranteed P27.8 Billion in loans for 233,507 beneficiaries.
SVP Gutierrez presented the work of the Priority Sectors Guarantee Group, which focuses on boosting micro, small, medium, and even large enterprises across industries aligned with the country’s strategic investment priorities. SVP Oandasan detailed a streamlined claims process, from filing to evaluation and payment, designed to ensure prompt settlements.
As part of PHILGUARANTEE’s broader efforts to strengthen credit guarantee systems across the region, PCEO Pascual also extended an invitation for DCGF to participate in the upcoming 33 rd ACSIC Training Program. “This program offers a platform for ACSIC members to exchange insights, practical experiences, and explore innovative solutions. We hope DCGF can take part and enrich the exchange with your unique experiences and viewpoints,” he said.
From: Strategy Management and Communications Department
