Section 20December 22, 1997, Sec./Art. 20

Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to alleviate poverty and promote vigorous growth in the countryside through access to credit by small farmers, fisher folk, particularly the women involved in the production, processing and trading of agriculture and fisheries products and the small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) and industries engaged in agriculture and fisheries.

Interest rates shall be determined by market forces, provided that existing credit arrangements with agrarian reform beneficiaries are not affected. Emphasis of the program shall be on proper management and utilization.

In this regard, the State enjoins the active participation of the banking sector and government financial institutions in the rural financial system.