Pacinabao, Kirbie Mae, <br/><br/>
Assessing the accessibility to microfinance of solo parent micro-entrepreneurs in Koronadal City, South Cotabato / 
Kirbie Mae Pacinabao ; Thaddeus R. Acuna, adviser. 
 - viii, 75 leaves :  illustrations 
<br/><br/>Thesis, Undergraduate (BS Agribusiness Economics)--University of the Philippines, Mindanao 
<br/><br/> Although considered as marginalized and vulnerable, the fast-growing number of solo parents in the Philippines is a potential subject for social capitalization. As they are acknowledged by the government, R.A.8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000 was made to provide them benefits such as livelihood. However, the mechanism on how to forward the benefits were not stated which unfortunately resulted to the ineffectiveness of the policy. Being one of the most successful tools in addressing poverty, microfinance was integrated in this study as a feasible mechanism in addressing the problem. As part of the process, it is imperative to identify first the significant factors that affect the solo parents' accessibility to microfinance . 200 solo parent micro-entrepreneurs from Koronadal City, South Cotabato were interviewed in this study through focus group discussion. Factors considered as independent variables are gender, age, religion, education, organization membership, exposure to workshops, years as entrepreneurs, income, house and vehicle ownership. Probit regression analysis was employed and results revealed that only organization membership, exposure to workshops and education are the significant factors that affect their accessibility to microfinance. Perceptions of the respondents were also asked in order to have a comparison between the quantitative results and the respondents' views towards the issue. Most of the respondents answered that having a high educational attainment and exposure to workshops is not necessary when accessing microfinance, which is different from the quantitative results. The study revealed that nowadays, neither the socio-demographic factors nor collateral define accessibility to microfinance, rather, it is the skills and knowledge. As a newly-established solo parent organization in Koronadal City, SPAKOR has become the subject for recommendation in this study. The SPAKOR should consider converting into a cooperative where the solo parents can save and borrow money as means of security and financial sustainability.