The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), has launched the Turismo Asenso Loan Program (TALP) to support tourism-related micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in expanding their operations and creating more jobs nationwide.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial awarding of loans on Monday, September 1, where P3.38 million in financing was granted to nine tourism-related MSMEs. The first batch of beneficiaries, approved by DTI’s financing arm Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), includes wellness spas, resorts, and travel agencies from Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, and Metro Manila, with loan amounts ranging from P150,000 to P1 million.
Jointly developed by DTI and DOT under a memorandum of agreement signed in April 2025, TALP offers low-interest loans of up to P20 million, payable in up to five years, with an interest rate of one percent per month on a diminishing balance.
“Tourism supports millions of jobs across hotels, transport, food, and local services. By helping our tourism MSMEs, we are not only sustaining businesses but also securing livelihoods for countless Filipinos whose income depends on this sector,” Trade Secretary Cristina A. Roque said.
Roque added that DTI and DOT are working closely to ensure that trade and enterprise development initiatives directly translate into more jobs and opportunities for Filipinos.
In 2024, total visitor spending reached P3.86 trillion, equivalent to 8.9 percent of the country’s GDP. The sector directly employed 6.75 million Filipinos and indirectly supported nearly 10 million more.
The ceremonial awarding also marked the start of a nationwide campaign encouraging more tourism MSMEs to apply for TALP. Interested entrepreneurs may submit applications through the DTI-SBCorp Money Mobile App at https://app.sbcorp.ph.
