Bringing Relief Closer—DTI Laguna and SB Corp Launch Loan Fair to Help MSMEs Recover from Calamities

In a determined move to support local businesses reeling from the impacts of recent typhoons and natural disasters, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Laguna Provincial Office, in partnership with the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp), launched an Enterprise Rehabilitation Financing (ERF) Application Fair on August 7, 2025, at the heart of the Pagsanjan Town Plaza.

The event provided a lifeline for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Laguna’s 4th District, many of which are still struggling to bounce back from calamity-related disruptions. Rather than requiring entrepreneurs to navigate bureaucratic processes or travel far for assistance, the fair brought the support directly to the community—removing common barriers and speeding up access to much-needed financial aid.

The ERF Program is designed to help MSMEs recover from disaster-related losses through affordable, low-interest loans with flexible payment terms. These loans can be used to repair damages, replace lost assets, and restore business operations. More than just financial relief, the program is part of a broader strategy to revitalize local economies, keep goods and services flowing, and build stronger, more resilient communities.

DTI-Laguna Provincial Director Christian Ted O. Tungohan underscored the importance of quick action in times of need.

“This initiative ensures that our local entrepreneurs get the help they need to rebuild their businesses and keep our local economy strong,” he said.

Tungohan also encouraged MSMEs to seize the opportunity, emphasizing that access to timely financing is a critical step toward long-term recovery and growth.

The fair saw the approval of several loan applications on the spot, while others are now in the processing stage—highlighting the government’s commitment to immediate and meaningful intervention for struggling business owners.

This ERF Application Fair is part of the government’s ongoing push to restore livelihoods, promote economic resilience, and ensure that small businesses remain at the center of Laguna’s sustained growth and development.

Through efforts like this, DTI and SB Corp are proving that help doesn’t have to be hard to reach—especially when it matters most.