The situation, in brief
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched five simultaneous loan programs totaling P13 billion aimed at helping overseas Filipino workers, women entrepreneurs, exporters, small businesses, and transport operators, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque announced Saturday, April 18. Roque…
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched five simultaneous loan programs totaling P13 billion aimed at helping overseas Filipino workers, women entrepreneurs, exporters, small businesses, and transport operators, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque announced Saturday, April 18.
Roque said the five funds — the OFW Negosyo Fund, Women Enterprise Fund, Business Expansion Fund, MSME Business Fund, and E-Transport Loan — are all available for online application through sbcorp.gov.ph, the government’s lending arm for micro, small, and medium enterprises.
The largest of the five is the MSME Business Fund, with P4 billion set aside for small and medium enterprises. Launched on April 6, it drew 1,820 applicants representing P3.2 billion in loan requests in under a week.
“99.5% of business establishments in the Philippines is MSME, and they account for 60% of the labor force,” Roque said. “Kailangan silang mag-grow to the next level.”
The OFW Negosyo Fund and Women Enterprise Fund are each backed by P2 billion. The OFW fund covers repatriated workers, OFWs looking to start a business, or families of OFWs already in business, with loans of up to P5 million.
The Women Enterprise Fund targets women-led businesses, with Roque saying the Marcos administration is pushing for dual-income households to improve quality of life.
The Business Expansion Fund, capitalized at P3 billion, is aimed at export-oriented businesses looking to acquire raw materials or upgrade machinery. Roque said exports grew 15.4% last year, the highest on record.
The E-Transport Loan, also at P2 billion, targets small transport operators shifting to electric vehicles and will be available starting April 21.
Roque said all five funds share the same four requirements: business name registration with DTI or SEC, a bank account or bank statement, government compliance documents such as a mayor’s permit, and photos of the business.
“Wala nang business plan para sa loans up to P5 million,” she said, adding that repayment terms run three to five years with a one-year grace period on principal and interest.
Loans above P5 million will require collateral. DTI also offers a separate Enterprise Rehabilitation Fund providing up to P300,000 with no collateral and the same one-year grace period, which Roque said covers even sari-sari store operators.
Applicants can file online through sbcorp.gov.ph or visit any of DTI’s 18 regional offices or 1,344 Negosyo Centers nationwide for assistance. “Nandito po sila para tulungan kayo kung paano makausad ang negosyo,” Roque said.
