The Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) launched Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monetary Board Member V. Bruce J. Tolentino’s book series entitled Enabling Rural and Agricultural Finance for Inclusive Development in the Philippines during its 71st Governing Council meeting on August 17, 2021.
The publication is a three-volume compilation of papers, reports, and policy notes focusing on the promotion of effective and efficient financial services in support of inclusive rural and agricultural development.
“I am honored to endorse this book as indispensable to understanding the issues relating to agricultural finance,” said Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III in his foreword for the book series.
“It is no secret that Dr. Bruce is one of the experts when it comes to agricultural finance. His expertise and experiences in helping our rural communities is simply remarkable,” Department of Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said. “Imagine four decades of Dr. Bruce’s work in rural finance is encapsulated in this book,” the agri chief added.
Dr. Tolentino is a leading economic development expert with decades of experience in both the public and nonprofit sector locally and abroad. He served as the ACPC’s first executive director from 1987-1989, and currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Council.
“Today, the ACPC remains the country’s premier government institution for program development and research on agri-fishery credit—a feat that would not have been possible without the expertise and dedication of our first Executive Director, whose vision of a sustainable rural finance system for farmers and fisherfolk served as the guiding principle of the Council,” said ACPC Executive Director Jocelyn Alma R. Badiola.
The book series, which tackles the challenges, responses, successes, as well as the failures in rural finance and intermediation over the course of Dr. Tolentino’s career, is comprised of three volumes.
Book I, entitled Rural and Agricultural Finance and Development Issues, comprises papers that deal with financial system-wide reform issues that determine the health and development effectiveness of the rural and agriculture finance system.
Book II, or The Rural Banks, focuses on the rapid rise and fall of the multitude of small private banks that served as the principal delivery agents of subsidized loans to farming and rural enterprises.
Book III, or Financial Sector Regulation for Rural and Agricultural Development, deals with the myriad, multiple, and recurring issues that arise from financial sector regulation.
“The bulk of the articles included in this compilation could not have been produced had I not had the good fortune of serving at the ACPC and the DA,” said Dr. Tolentino.
“These agencies enabled the focus and provided the technical and logistical support necessary to produce these works. I thank most especially the staff and officers of the ACPC, whose dedication and skills have continuously and significantly expanded financial services for farmers and fisherfolk,” added Dr. Tolentino.
The book series was published by the ACPC Communications and Public Affairs Division in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture – Office of the Secretary- Strategic Communications Group.
E-copies can be downloaded from the ACPC’s official website: https://uat.acpc.gov.ph/website//
(From upper left) DA Secretary and ACPC Governing Council Chair Dr. William D. Dar, BSP Monetary Board Member and ACPC Vice Chair Dr. V. Bruce J. Tolentino, ACPC Executive Director Jocelyn Alma R. Badiola, (from lower left) ACPC Governing Council Members: NEDA Usec. Mercedita A. Sombilla, and DBM Director Cristina B. Clasara; and DA Usec. Evelyn G. Lavina during the launch of the book-series entitled “Enabling Rural and Agricultural Finance for Inclusive Development in the Philippines.”