Ano ang Utang at Instant Pautang?
Here's a Simple Guide to Lending in Philippines

Narining mo na ba ang salitang utang?

Nasubukan mo na bang umutang?

Most Filipinos have experienced borrowing money from family members, a friend, a moneylender, a “Bombay,” or a bank.

Even business owners borrow money, let alone those who work at a minimum wage each day.  “Utang” has been a part of Filipino culture, prominent enough to have caught the attention of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.

Different Ways to Utang in the Philippines

You can take out a loan in various methods. However, you must be vigilant in talking to only legit and trusted lenders. Here are the most common ways for you to utang. 

5-6 Loan 

During the 2016 elections, then presidency candidate Mayor Duterte clearly stated his plans to irradiate the ‘5-6’ lending scheme in the country. The ‘5-6’ lending system is known to be the famous business of Indians, locally known as “Bombays,” here in the Philippines.

The Bombays are usually depicted to be wearing turbans, riding motorbikes, sometimes walking with a long umbrella, and offering loans with daily repayments. It does not matter if the repayments are as small as 20 pesos a day. They will diligently come to the borrower’s doorsteps every day. Sometimes they will even offer furniture, small appliances, and other household items, and the payments will be the same daily.

5-6 Loan Computation

The 5-6 lending system was brought by Indian nationals in the ’70s, and it has spread like wildfire. They didn’t need any advertisements. The Indians’ lending business was popularized by gossip in the neighborhood. Since borrowing money is part of Filipino culture, this lending system was greatly accepted despite the staggering interest rate of 20%.

If you borrow P500, you have to pay with the additional 20% interest: 500 x .20 = 100. You have to pay Php600  divided into daily installments.

Why did 5-6 become so popular? Since the repayment is on a daily basis, the cash to be paid seems smaller than it really is.

It is easier to part with a 20 peso bill each day than Php600 in a one-time payment. Also, there is no need to hassle yourself with any required documents, unlike in banks.
Aside from the 5- 6, there are other types of moneylending in the Philippines.

Fix Rate Loan Definition

This is usually a verbal agreement between the lender and the borrower.

Neighbors usually practice this system as many Filipinos seem to have the habit of trying their luck first with their neighbors when it comes to utang.

There is no standard interest rate, they just talk about the fixed amount of money to top up when it comes to repayment. If you are lucky enough, you might have a kind neighbor who won’t ask for any interest at all.

Incremental Borrowing Rate

The interest rate increases after a certain period of time. With this system, the borrowers are forced to pay as soon as possible, or they will have to pay more.

While this secures the lenders that they will get some profit from the basic principal loan, it is too risky for the borrower. The interest rate may start in as small as 3%.

If you fail to pay within a month, the interest rate will increase to 4% the next month.

Diminishing Interest

Many Filipinos prefer this system. The borrower will pay monthly installments, and the amount of interest will seem to decrease as it will be based on the current outstanding balance of the capital.

How to compute diminishing balance on loan?

For example, if you borrowed Php 1,000, your outstanding balance will be Php 1,200 if the interest rate is 20%.

Php 1,000 x .20 = Php200
Php 1,000 + Php 200 = Php 1,200

• If the first payment is Php 300, the Php 200 (20% of Php 1,000) is for the interest, and the Php 100 will be for the capital.
• Then the new outstanding balance of the capital will be Php 900.

Php 900 x .20 = Php 180
Php 900 + Php 180= Php 1,080

• Then on the 2nd month, you’ll pay Php 300 (Php 120 for the capital and Php 180 will be for the interest).
• The current outstanding balance of the capital will be Php780.

Recurring interest

The lender will keep on collecting the interest as long as the lender has not paid the debt in full payment, not by installment. This is the lending system used by pawnshops in the Philippines.

Paluwagan

Pool funding is also as popular as 5-6. This is commonly done within a neighborhood or close circle of friends or workmates.

A group of people will collect a certain amount from each other then they will do a ‘casting lots’ or “bunutan” to know which one will be the first to use the pooled fund.

Then on the next day or week, they will once again create a pooled fund with the same amount, and the next person (as decided by the casting lots at the beginning of the system) will take home the money.  The system will go on until the last person is able to have his or her chance to take home the same month of the collected pooled fund.

Where to Utang in the Philippines?

Borrowing money might sound intimidating if you have sufficient knowledge of where to get it.  Here are the top most choices you can utang. 

Money Lenders vs Banks

Private lending companies in Philippines can offer short-term loans, with the least required documents- sometimes none in the case of Bombays.

On the other hand, not so many Filipinos are keen to take loans from banks. This is due to the hassle of required documents and a long time of processing.

Banks also don’t usually give out short-term loans.

Online Private Lenders

Online lenders are private lenders willing to give short-term loans at the shortest process borrowers can ever experience. Lenders such as Cash Mart can even disburse cash within the day of application.

Is it Safe to Utang in the Philippines?

Yes, in fact, there is a law that supports the such financial activity. 

REPUBLIC ACT No. 3765

The Truth Lending Act mandates all lenders, including banks, and private lenders, to be transparent with their terms and disclose all costs in the agreement contract. All costs and amounts must be itemized to prevent a lack of awareness on the part of the borrowers.

Kung kailangan mo ng instant pautang pero ayaw mo ma-experience ang hassle ng mahabang pila o pumunta pa sa lending companies’ offices or bangko para mag-submit ng application, you can try Cash Mart’s fast cash loan.

Start filling in our online application form.

Expect the process to be smooth and short. For more inquiries, call Cash Mart now at (02) 829-0000.