MANILA—President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed government agencies to ensure that the Turismo Asenso Loan Program reaches micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in far-flung areas.

The program is a collaboration between the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), with the DTI’s financing arm Small Business Corp. (SBCorp.) providing capital support for MSMEs.

“Kaya naman, sa DOT, DTI, at SBCorp., tiyakin ninyong abot ang Turismo Asenso Loan Program at iba pang tulong sa buong panig ng bansa,” Marcos said in his speech during the awarding ceremony held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City.

Nine tourism-related MSMEs from the National Capital Region (NCR) and Calabarzon received loan assistance ranging from PhP150,000 to PhP1 million during the event.

The President said these loan packages would help beneficiaries expand their businesses, improve service quality, and create more sustainable opportunities for their families and communities.

“Sa pamamagitan ng mga loan na ito, matutulungan natin ang ating mga MSMEs na sila’y mapalago ang inyong mga negosyo, mapahusay ang kalidad ng serbisyo upang maipakita ang tatak ng ating ipinagmamalaki na Filipino hospitality. Higit sa lahat, makapagbigay ng mas magandang kinabukasan para sa inyong pamilya at komunidad,” he said.

Marcos also ordered DOT and DTI to further expand awareness of the program, simplify the application process, and ensure that more Filipinos benefit from it.

According to the DOT, eligible MSMEs may borrow up to PhP20 million at a competitive interest rate of 1 percent monthly on a diminishing balance basis.

Non-collateral loans are available up to PhP3 million for new borrowers and PhP5 million for existing ones, with repayment terms of up to five years.

To qualify, businesses must be at least 60 percent Filipino-owned, registered, and operational for at least one year. They must also have assets not exceeding PhP100 million, no past due with any SBCorp. programs, and no major negative credit findings.

| PND