SEC extends MSME registration, filing fee discounts

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has extended discounted rates for certain transactions to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), providing them with more time to register and fund the growth of their businesses at a lower cost.

The Commission issued SEC Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2, series of 2026, on Jan. 9, aimed at further supporting the growth and expansion of MSMEs by extending discounted rates for certain filing fees.

The memorandum circular extends the effectiveness of the 20 percent discount given to MSMEs for their corporate registration until March 31.

Meanwhile, MSMEs may avail of the 50 percent discount for the registration of securities until June 30.

This also covers securities being registered through the commission’s streamlined processes for power generation and distribution utility companies, real estate developers and managers in relation to rental pool deals, agribusiness firms, and hospitals.

Since the implementation of the lower rates through MC No. 8, series of 2025, in July, the SEC has given around PHP34.5 million in registration and filing fee discounts to 15,425 MSMEs as of December 2025.

“The SEC is entering the new year with a renewed commitment to support the expansion of MSMEs, given their crucial role in driving the country’s economic growth,” SEC Chairperson Francis Lim said.

“The discounted corporate registration and filing fees will help ease the cost of compliance and encourage more entrepreneurs to formalize and tap the capital market for the expansion of their businesses,” he added.

The memorandum circular adopts the classification of MSMEs based on asset size provided under Republic Act No. 9501, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for MSMEs.

Under the law, micro enterprises refer to companies with an asset size of up to PHP3 million, small businesses up to PHP15 million, and medium-sized enterprises up to PHP100 million.

Applicants seeking to avail of the discounted securities registration filing fee are required to submit a Certification of MSME Qualification executed by the company’s president or treasurer.

They should also have a paid-up capital of PHP25 million, except for those filing through the streamlined registration of securities process for agribusinesses.