The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) have launched a major lending initiative designed to dismantle financing barriers for the country’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The program, titled LIFTING MSMEs (Landbank Innovative Financing Thrust Towards Inclusive National Growth thru MSMEs), was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement signed Tuesday.
The program offers tiered loan packages with substantial credit lines tailored to a business’s stage of growth:
- Start-up businesses: Can access loans from ₱100,000 to ₱500,000.
- Growing businesses: Are eligible for ₱500,000 to ₱5,000,000.
- Expanding enterprises (Level-up): Can avail of loans of up to ₱50,000,000.
These packages feature flexible payment terms and accept various collateral options, including real estate mortgages and credit guarantees.
DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque emphasized the program’s critical role. “Financing remains the biggest hurdle for many,” she stated, noting that LIFTING MSMEs is designed to “give entrepreneurs the breathing room to innovate, hire more people, and strengthen their operations.” She described the partnership as “Bagong Pilipinas in action,” where government institutions collaborate to extend opportunities directly to those in need.
Beyond capital injection, the program provides holistic support. LANDBANK will extend financial literacy, entrepreneurship training, and promote digital onboarding solutions. DTI will complement this through its nationwide Negosyo Centers, delivering training in digital marketing and product development. DTI will also identify and endorse qualified MSMEs for financing, with a focus on women-led enterprises, young entrepreneurs, market vendors, and franchising ventures.
The launch event was held at the Landbank Plaza in Malate, Manila, attended by over 200 MSME representatives from Metro Manila, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, and Cavite, signaling a strong initial engagement for the nationwide program.
MSMEs are widely recognized as the backbone of the Philippine economy, comprising over 99% of all business enterprises and contributing significantly to employment and national output. The LIFTING MSMEs program directly addresses their longstanding challenge of accessing adequate and appropriate credit to start, grow, and compete.#
