DTI, Landbank fast-track MSME financing push

The Department of Trade and Industry will identify and endorse eligible micro, small, and medium enterprise borrowers to Land Bank of the Philippines under its newly launched LIFTING MSMEs Program, or Landbank’s Innovative Financing Thrust Towards Inclusive National Growth thru Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.

The initiative supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to expand MSMEs’ access to affordable capital and complements DTI’s five-point agenda by pairing financing with technical support to help firms compete globally.

DTI will co-design and deliver capacity-building activities to ensure endorsed MSMEs are financing-ready and positioned for long-term sustainability.

The LIFTING MSMEs Program offers innovative financial solutions to widen MSME access to capital so enterprises can scale operations, strengthen competitiveness, and contribute more to national growth.

DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona said the program is vital in aligning government support with finance to spur private-sector innovation and stated, “Programs like LIFTING MSMEs are so crucial.

They bridge government support with the right financing instruments, unlocking private sector innovation—combining program reach with resources, and providing the capital needed to turn entrepreneurial vision into reality.”

She added that the initiative helps safeguard jobs and local economies amid shocks and said, “In doing so, we give MSMEs the breathing space to grow, innovate, and withstand crises—from typhoons to pandemics—while continuing to create jobs and keep local economies alive.”

The presence of Landbank’s leadership alongside DTI signals a shared commitment to MSME development by aligning institutional resources behind a more inclusive and resilient economy.