The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is expanding access to capital for Filipino entrepreneurs through its Women Enterprise Fund, a P2-billion financing program aimed at supporting women-led businesses and encouraging additional household income streams, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said in a radio interview.

Speaking on DZRH’s “Special on Saturday,” Roque said the program is part of the government’s broader push to strengthen micro, small and medium enterprises by improving access to low-barrier financing.

Under the Women Enterprise Fund, qualified applicants—women entrepreneurs, aspiring business owners, and women-led enterprises—may borrow up to P5 million without collateral. The program also offers a one-year grace period on both principal and interest payments, allowing businesses time to stabilize before repayment begins.

Roque said the initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to promote “double income” households to improve quality of life and stimulate local economic activity. She noted that increased household earnings also benefit downstream sectors such as restaurants and retail.

As of the latest cut-off, the program has received 394 applications totaling about P183 million in loan requests.

Roque also cited strong initial uptake, saying early approvals have already begun, with dozens of applicants processed shortly after the program’s rollout.

In addition to the Women Enterprise Fund, the DTI also maintains a separate OFW-focused financing program, with another 2 billion pesos fund, for returning overseas Filipino workers and their families who want to start or expand businesses.

The agency said both programs are part of ongoing efforts to widen access to credit and encourage entrepreneurship across key sectors of the economy.