SEC extends relief for MSMEs

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has extended the discounted rates for select registration and filing fees for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), giving them more time to formalize operations and raise capital at a lower cost.

In a statement, the SEC said it issued Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2, Series of 2026 on Jan. 9. This extends the effectivity of previously approved discounts for MSMEs.

The move is part of the regulator’s continued effort to support the growth and expansion of small businesses, which account for a large share of the country’s economic activity.

Under the circular, MSMEs will continue to enjoy a 20-percent discount on corporate registration fees until March 31, 2026.

Meanwhile, the 50-percent discount on securities registration fees has been extended until June 30, 2026.

The higher discount applies not only to regular securities registration but also to those processed through the SEC’s streamlined registration system.

These include filings by power generation and distribution utility companies, real estate developers or managers involved in rental pool arrangements, agribusiness firms and hospitals.

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The SEC said the discounted rates were first implemented in July 2025 under MC No. 8, Series of 2025.

As of December 2025, 15,425 MSMEs have benefited from a total of about P34.5 million worth of registration and filing fee discounts.

SEC chair Francis Lim said the extension reflects the agency’s renewed commitment to supporting MSMEs, which play a critical role in driving economic growth.