Ilocos norte: The Ilocos Norte government, through its Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Office (MSMEO), has allocated around PHP7.5 million in its 2026 budget to provide a loan assistance program to innovators and entrepreneurs.

According to Philippines News Agency, Elma Gabriel, head of the MSMEO, confirmed this on Wednesday following the Sangguniang Panlalawigan's approval of her department's budget. The aim is to help stimulate the growth of business startups as well as existing businesses that need additional capital to develop more products or expand their market reach.

Gabriel stated that all eligible and qualified borrowers will be required to submit a business plan. Each successful applicant may avail of a maximum loan amount of PHP150,000 to be repaid within a year. 'We hope to start accepting applications by January,' Gabriel told the Philippine News Agency.

The microfinancing assistance program of the provincial government, which started in 2020, has already benefited hundreds of local entrepreneurs. Most borrowers were food processors and handicraft makers who needed to scale up and improve the quality of their products. Jovelyn Crusina, an artisan from Pagudpud who makes and sells fashion accessories and handicrafts from coconut shells, expressed gratitude for the program, saying it opened up more market opportunities for her and her family.

Aside from the loan assistance program, the provincial government also supports local entrepreneurs with capacity-building and training to improve their business operations. These initiatives include digital marketing, food safety, and bookkeeping.