Can Referral Programs Bridge Financial Inclusion?
Financial inclusion has become a cornerstone of economic development strategies worldwide. Recent research, including a 2026 study in the European Journal of Finance, demonstrates that inclusive financial policies (IFPs) – which often incorporate referral systems, targeted lending, and deposit mobilization – expand bank lending, reduce gender credit gaps, and strengthen financial stability. At the same time, policy briefs from the Alliance for Financial […]
El Niño Readiness in Focus – Is Philippines Heat-Resistant?
The Philippine Senate has moved to intensify oversight of government agencies tasked with preparing for El Niño, a climate phenomenon expected to hit the country hard in late 2026 and early 2027. Senator Francis Pangilinan filed Senate Resolution No. 515, directing the agriculture committee to investigate whether agencies such as the Department of Agriculture (DA), National […]