Small businesses in Iloilo City may soon have easier access to capital as the city government pushes for interest-free and no-collateral loans for local entrepreneurs.
Mayor Raisa Treñas is urging the Iloilo City Council to approve the proposed Negosyo Credit Access for Resilient Enterprises (CARE) Program, which seeks to provide accessible financing to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the city.
The program is designed to give entrepreneurs additional working capital or seed capital to start, sustain, or expand their businesses—without the usual burden of interest payments and collateral requirements.
“This is a loan, hindi siya nga daw payout lang,” Treñas clarified during the Iloilo City Government’s “Your City At Work” program.
She explained that the initiative is not intended to be limited to small one-time payouts. Instead, it aims to provide meaningful financial support that entrepreneurs can use to strengthen their businesses.
The mayor also pointed to the possibility of providing emergency loans for businesses, particularly when entrepreneurs need additional capital to keep their operations going or respond to unexpected challenges.
More capital, less burden
For Treñas, the biggest advantage of the program is simple: entrepreneurs can put more of their money back into their businesses instead of paying interest.
“Ang importante minimal lang ang ila nga bayran kag wala interest para mas mapasanyog pa guid,” she said.
According to the mayor, interest payments can significantly increase the cost of borrowing and eat into a business owner’s earnings.
“Kon sige ka bayad interes, dako ang imo nga balayran, mas pierde ka,” she added.
By removing interest and collateral requirements, the city government hopes to make financing more accessible, particularly for MSMEs that may find it difficult to qualify for traditional loans.
Supporting Iloilo’s MSMEs
Treñas described the proposed program as a form of seed capital for local businesses, emphasizing the city government’s commitment to helping MSMEs become more resilient and sustainable.
“This will make sure nga mabuligan guid naton ang aton mga MSMEs. Dako ini nga seed capital sa ila negosyo,” she said.
If approved by the Iloilo City Council, the Negosyo CARE Program will provide another financing option for local entrepreneurs looking to recover from challenges, maintain their operations, or take their businesses to the next level.
For Iloilo City, the goal is not simply to provide loans—but to give its small businesses a better chance to survive, grow, and thrive.
