Marcos awards first ‘Turismo Asenso’ loans to tourism MSMEs

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the awarding of the first batch of beneficiaries under the Turismo Asenso Loan Program, a financing initiative aimed at supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the tourism sector.

The program, jointly implemented by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), provides low-interest loans to help tourism businesses expand operations, upgrade services, and sustain jobs in the post-pandemic recovery.

Nine MSMEs were granted loan assistance in the initial rollout, with amounts ranging from ₱150,000 to ₱1 million, the DOT said.

“This partnership is a significant step for both the DOT and the DTI, but the true beneficiaries are the Filipino people,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said.

“By empowering our MSMEs, we are fostering economic stability, generating sustainable employment opportunities, and strengthening the fabric of our communities,” she added.

The initiative was formalized in April 2025 through a memorandum of agreement between the DOT and DTI as part of the administration’s broader strategy to strengthen tourism and trade.

Marcos said the government remains committed to giving MSMEs accessible opportunities for growth.

“Patuloy ang pamahalaan sa pagbibigay ng oportunidad sa MSMEs. Layunin ng mga ito na gawing simple [at] epektibo ang pagbebenta ng mga produkto,” he said.

[Translation: The government continues to provide opportunities for MSMEs. The goal is to make the selling of products simple and effective.]

The president added that local entrepreneurs are helping shape the Philippines into a destination for “experiential tourism.”

“Dahil sa inyo, mas lumalalim ang paghanga sa atin sa Pilipinas, mas pinipili na ng mga turista ang mas makabuluhang karanasan o what we call experiential tourism,” Marcos said.

[Translation: Because of you, appreciation for the Philippines grows deeper. Tourists are choosing more meaningful and experiential travel.]

The Turismo Asenso program offers loans of up to ₱20 million, with repayment terms of three to five years and a fixed interest rate of 1% per month on a diminishing balance. Applicants must be Filipino-owned enterprises with a proven track record and no past due accounts under SBCorp programs.