DTI, LANDBANK unite to fast-track MSME growth with LIFTING financing program

Posted: October 7, 2025
Left to Right: Landbank of the Philippines Executive Vice President (EVP) Liduvino S. Geron, EVP Leila C. Martin, Landbank President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz,  DTI-ROG Usec. Blesila A. Lantayona, Landbank Vice President Samuel E. Acuña and Senior Vice President Gonzalo Benjamin A. Bongolan
Left to Right: Landbank of the Philippines Executive Vice President (EVP) Liduvino S. Geron, EVP Leila C. Martin, Landbank President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz,  DTI-ROG Usec. Blesila A. Lantayona, Landbank Vice President Samuel E. Acuña and Senior Vice President Gonzalo Benjamin A. Bongolan

Left to Right: Landbank of the Philippines Executive Vice President (EVP) Liduvino S. Geron, EVP Leila C. Martin, Landbank President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz,  DTI-ROG Usec. Blesila A. Lantayona, Landbank Vice President Samuel E. Acuña and Senior Vice President Gonzalo Benjamin A. BongolanIn an effort to provide micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) access to capital, the Department of Trade and Industry will identify and endorse eligible MSME borrowers to LANDBANK under its recently launched LIFTING MSMEs Program (LANDBANK’s Innovative Financing Thrust Towards Inclusive National Growth thru Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises).

The move is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to improve access to capital for MSMEs through affordable loans and financing programs. It also complements DTI’s five-point agenda by providing MSMEs with crucial financing and technical support to compete globally.

LANDBANK executives and DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona stand together during a formal event highlighting the launch of the LIFTING MSMEs Program to improve access to capital for micro, small, and medium enterprises in the Philippines.
LANDBANK executives and DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona stand together during a formal event highlighting the launch of the LIFTING MSMEs Program to improve access to capital for micro, small, and medium enterprises in the Philippines.

DTI will also collaborate on the design and delivery of capacity-building activities to ensure that endorsed MSMEs are ready for financing and can achieve long-term sustainability.

The LIFTING MSMEs Program provides innovative financial solutions, expanding Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises’ (MSMEs) access to capital. This initiative will help enterprises grow their operations, strengthen their competitiveness, and contribute more effectively to national economic growth.

DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona delivers a speech during the launch of the LIFTING MSMEs Program, a partnership between DTI and LANDBANK to enhance MSME access to financing and capacity-building in the Philippines.
DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona delivers a speech during the launch of the LIFTING MSMEs Program, a partnership between DTI and LANDBANK to enhance MSME access to financing and capacity-building in the Philippines.

DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona noted the importance of the LIFTING Program in bridging government support with financing to enable MSMEs to innovate and sustain local employment.

“Programs like LIFTING MSMEs are so crucial. They bridge government support with the right financing instruments, unlocking private sector innovation—combining program reach with resources, and providing the capital needed to turn entrepreneurial vision into reality,” Undersecretary Lantayona said.

DTI Undersecretary Lantayona also emphasized that the initiative grants an opportunity to ensure continued employment generation and economic vitality.

“In doing so, we give MSMEs the breathing space to grow, innovate, and withstand crises—from typhoons to pandemics—while continuing to create jobs and keep local economies alive,” Usec. Lantayona added.

The presence of LANDBANK’s leadership, together with DTI, reflects a shared commitment to advancing MSME development, aligning the two institutions’ resources to support the national vision for a thriving, inclusive economy. ♦

Date of Release: 02 October 2025