The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has set aside P2 billion for women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises in 2026, earmarking the allocation from the Small Business Corporation’s Enterprise Fund to strengthen the Women’s Enterprise Fund (WEF).
The move reinforces state backing for women-owned firms positioned to scale operations, generate employment, and expand their role in the domestic economy.
DTI said the initiative is designed to balance support for established entrepreneurs seeking expansion with assistance for more Filipinas planning to launch or formalize businesses. Women entrepreneurs are increasingly viewed as key drivers of community-level growth, consumption, and household financial resilience, making targeted financing a strategic economic lever.
Beyond commercial outcomes, officials see the fund as delivering wider social benefits. Stronger women-owned enterprises are expected to translate into steadier family incomes, improved savings capacity, and greater financial security at the household level, particularly in underserved communities.
“We continue to support women entrepreneurs seeking local and global expansion, while also opening opportunities for those ready to scale up, create jobs, and strengthen local economies,” Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said. “We understand that access to capital remains a major challenge, and DTI through SBCorp has tailored programs like the Women’s Enterprise Fund to meet the needs of our MSMEs.”
SBCorp, DTI’s lending arm, said the WEF offers accessible, growth-oriented financing for women-owned and women-led MSMEs. Loan amounts range from P30,000 to P20 million, with a one-year grace period on principal and interest, repayment terms of up to five years, and waived collateral for loans up to P5 million.
To widen reach, SBCorp has digitized applications through the SBCorp Money App and its online platform, aiming to streamline access for entrepreneurs nationwide efficiently.
