The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is mobilizing a P7-billion financing package through the Small Business Corp. (SB Corp.) to support exporters, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and women-led enterprises as tensions in the Middle East threaten to ripple through global trade and employment.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the loan programs, developed even before the latest geopolitical flare-ups, are now being positioned as part of the government’s economic contingency plan to help vulnerable sectors stay resilient.
“Through SB Corp., we are ensuring that our exporters, OFWs and women entrepreneurs have access to affordable financing so they can continue to grow their businesses and sustain their livelihoods despite global challenges,” Roque said.
The largest portion, a P3-billion Export Business Expansion Fund, aims to help Philippine exporters scale production and meet overseas demand despite potential supply chain disruptions. The facility offers collateral-free loans ranging from P10,000 to P10 million and includes a one-year grace period on both principal and interest payments.
Officials say the structure is designed to give exporters breathing room to secure contracts, expand capacity and strengthen their foothold in international markets without immediate repayment pressure.
Another P2 billion has been earmarked for returning OFWs and their families. The financing window supports both start-ups and existing small businesses, providing capital for reintegration as overseas employment conditions become uncertain.
Roque said the fund could prove critical if Filipino workers in the Middle East face displacement or income disruptions, helping them build sustainable livelihoods back home.
The remaining P2-billion Women Enterprise Fund targets women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), a sector that often struggles to access formal financing despite strong growth potential.
Applications can be submitted online through SB Corp., with approvals typically processed within seven to 10 days, offering entrepreneurs quick access to capital during a volatile global environment.
