In a move to reduce financial barriers for small business growth, the SEC issued Memorandum Circular No. 8, Series of 2025 on July 16, which outlines discounted rates on select filing fees for qualified MSMEs.
“MSMEs are the backbone of our business sector, accounting for over 99 percent of all businesses in the country and generating millions of jobs for our fellow Filipinos,” SEC Chair Francis Lim said.
“This policy represents our strong resolve to help bring down the barriers to entry of small businesses to ensure they can grow, thrive, and continuously contribute to economic growth,” he said.
Under the circular, MSMEs registering as corporations will receive a 20-percent discount on registration fees, while those increasing their capital stock through amendments to their articles of incorporation will receive a 25-percent discount. These discounts will be in effect until Dec. 31, 2025.
Additionally, to encourage more MSMEs to tap the capital markets, the SEC is granting a 50-percent discount on securities registration fees for eligible enterprises. This offer will run until June 30, 2026.
The policy uses the asset-based classification under Republic Act No. 9501 or the Magna Carta for MSMEs, which defines micro businesses as having assets of up to P3 million, small businesses up to P15 million, and medium-sized enterprises up to P100 million, excluding land.
Applicants seeking the fee reductions must submit a signed certification of qualification by the company’s president or treasurer, stating compliance with the asset thresholds.
This initiative follows two other recent circulars issued by the SEC to streamline regulatory processes. Memorandum Circular No. 6 slashed corporate data request fees by 50 percent, while Memorandum Circular No. 7 set strict timelines for application processing to reduce backlogs and improve ease of doing business. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
