DTI: 381 MSMEs hit by Kristine, P2-B recovery loan earmarked

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Acting Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque on Saturday called on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to avail of the agency’s low-interest loan program aimed at helping them recover from the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa GTV, Roque said that, as of October 25, 2024, there are “381 MSMEs [which] have been affected by the typhoon.”

“There are many loans that are flexible and more applicable for MSMEs,” she said.

In particular, the Trade chief said the DTI’s SB Corporation has set aside P2 billion for the Enterprise Rehab Program.

The program is meant to “rehabilitate sa mga negosyo na naapektuhan ng bagyong Kristine.”

“They can avail this starting yesterday until December 31, 2024,” Roque said.

“The minimum loan, it can really go as low as P10,000... The maximum loan ay P300,000. This loan is really mostly to help MSMEs,” she said.

The DTI chief said the enterprise rehab loan has a zero interest in the first year and will have a measly 1% interest rate per month in the succeeding years of repayment.

“Pwede silang umutang sa SB Corp. Bisitahin lamang ang http://sbcorp.gov.ph... We'll try to process as fast as we can… One week if kumpleto ang kanilang requirements,” Roque said.

Kristine exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday after dumping heavy rains for days in many areas.

Some 4.472 million people or 1.062 million families were severely affected by the weather disturbance, the Office of Civil Defense said on Saturday. —KG, GMA Integrated News