Alternative means testing options using CBMS

Type Working Paper
Title Alternative means testing options using CBMS
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2006
URL http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/research/centers/aki/_pdf/philippines/alternativeMeansTestingOption.pdf
Abstract
The study proposes an alternative means to the present manner of identifying eligible Philhealth beneficiaries through the use of three criteria, namely: income, ownership of assets and socioeconomic characteristics, and electricity consumption. The information/data gathered in evaluating the criteria are sourced with the use of the community-based monitoring system (CBMS) approach. Given that many of the poor households may not have verifiable records/documents regarding the first criterion—income—the study recommends the adoption of a two-stage screening method using the other two criteria. Households are first classified on the basis of socioeconomic variables that are predictors of income-based poverty status. This is followed by a second stage screening based on electricity consumption for those who passed the first screening. The proposed methodology addresses the problem of undercoverage/exclusion of possible eligible beneficiaries from the program that is evident in the present manner of identifying beneficiaries.

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