MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Tourism (DOT) kicked off Tourism Month with the awarding of the Turismo Asenso Loan, a joint initiative with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), offering low-interest credit aimed to assist Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to expand operations, upgrade services, and sustain employment opportunities, the DOT announced on Monday.

The distribution of the loans was led by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., with Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Trade Secretary Cristina Roque.

According to the DOT, the event awarded nine beneficiaries from the tourism sector who qualified for loan assistance, evaluated and approved by the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), with approved amounts ranging from PHP150,000 to PHP1,000,000.

The beneficiaries are Reluxx Body and Wellness Spa, Pressure Point Wellness and Spa, S.E.AL Travel and Tours, Robles Resort, Imassage De Cavite Wellness Spa, Sense Body Massage Spa, Lavmemar Travel and Tours, Landsafe Travel and Tours Agency, and Silverscape Travel and Tours, the DOT said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. kicked off Tourism Month with awarding of the Turismo Asenso Loan to nine beneficiaries from the tourism sector who qualified for loan assistance, evaluated and approved by the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), with approved amounts ranging from PHP150,000 to PHP1,000,000. They are Reluxx Body and Wellness Spa, Pressure Point Wellness and Spa, S.E.AL Travel and Tours, Robles Resort, Imassage De Cavite Wellness Spa, Sense Body Massage Spa, Lavmemar Travel and Tours, Landsafe Travel and Tours Agency, and Silverscape Travel and Tours. (Photo and caption courtesy of DOT)

In his speech, President Marcos, Jr. underscored tourism as a pillar of the Philippine economy, providing livelihood to small businesses in the sector.

The President also noted that the government is aggressively creating programs that would help sustain the tourism industry.

“Patuloy ang pamahalaan sa pagsulong ng mga programang sumusuporta sa inyo. Isa na rito ang Turismo Asenso Loan Program, na bunga ng pagtutulungan ng Department of Tourism at Department of Trade and Industry, katuwang ang Small Business Corporation. Layunin ng programang ito na gawing mas abot-kamay ang puhunan para sa mga MSMEs sa turismo,” he said.

In the same speech, Marcos also directed the implementing agencies to “further the information campaign” for the program and “simplify the application process” to encourage more beneficiaries.

“Mr. President, maraming salamat po sa inyong patuloy na pagsuporta at pagkalinga sa turismo. Daghang salamat sa imong kanunay nga pagpanalipod ug pagpalig-on sa turismo. Under your vision for a Bagong Pilipinas, our people are assured that the government is not distant but present—ready to respond, to empower, and to serve,” she said.

“In line with our President’s directive to uplift MSMEs, and through your strong partnership with the Department of Tourism, we now offer our entrepreneurs not only recognition of their vital role, but also real, tangible support to recover, to expand, and to thrive,” Frasco added.

For her part, Secretary Roque likewise emphasized the directive of the President to make MSME loans accessible to all enterprises.

“The instruction of our President is clear: make sure that MSME loans are made accessible to all enterprises that need them, so they can uplift their businesses. Through the Turismo Asenso Loan Program, we are addressing this financing gap with concrete, accessible, and affordable loan packages—for micro enterprises, for first-time borrowers, and of course, for loyal SB Corp. borrowers,” she said.

According to the DOT, qualified applicants may borrow up to PHP20 million with an interest rate of 1% per month on a diminishing balance basis.