Manila: Malaca±ang has urged micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by the ongoing Middle East conflict to take advantage of the government's PHP4 billion emergency loan program. This call to action is part of a broader effort to support businesses facing financial strain due to global economic challenges.

According to Philippines News Agency, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto emphasized that the initiative is a crucial component of a comprehensive aid package approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. This package aims to mitigate the effects of rising logistics costs, cash flow constraints, and supply chain disruptions. Recto highlighted the program's focus on providing safety nets not only for highly vulnerable sectors but also for middle-class and small entrepreneurs impacted by the global oil shock. The program offers easy loans ranging from PHP30,000 to PHP20 million each.

The emergency loan program, operated through the Department of Trade and Industry and its financial branch, Small Business (SB) Corp., seeks to offer accessible credit to affected businesses. This credit is intended to help sustain operations amidst ongoing global economic pressures. Recto described the loans as a vital lifeline for MSMEs struggling with limited access to financing during uncertain economic times.

The loan facility features attractive terms, including low interest rates and a repayment period extending up to five years. Additionally, there is a one-year grace period on both principal and interest payments to ease the financial burden on borrowers. Applications for the program can be submitted online, with a processing time of seven to 10 days for complete submissions by SB Corp.

Despite a 5 percent increase in MSME bank lending, reaching PHP574.8 billion by the end of December 2025, Recto noted that this figure only accounts for 4.73 percent of the nation's total bank loan portfolio, which stands at PHP12.14 trillion.