The Department of Trade and Industry has provided crucial financial assistance to 341 micro, small, and medium enterprises in Northern Cebu that suffered devastating losses from recent natural disasters. The initiative comes as businesses struggle to recover from the dual impact of a magnitude 6.9 earthquake and subsequent Typhoon Tino that disrupted economic activity across multiple towns.
Emergency Response Through Mobile Loan Caravan
From October 22 to November 14, 2025, DTI and its financing arm Small Business Corp. deployed the Enterprise Rehabilitation Financing Caravan to hard-hit communities. This mobile service brought loan processing directly to affected business owners, eliminating the need for extensive travel and complicated documentation during this critical recovery period.
The program offers rehabilitation loans of up to P300,000 with zero percent interest during the first year, providing essential capital for MSMEs to replace damaged equipment, restore facilities, and replenish inventory. According to DTI officials, this direct approach significantly accelerates the recovery process for local businesses.
Comprehensive Coverage Across Affected Municipalities
The ERF Caravan conducted multiple rounds across Northern Cebu, reaching businesses in numerous municipalities. During the first deployment from October 22-24, the program assisted 97 MSMEs in San Remigio, 81 in Medellin, 79 in Daanbantayan, and 33 in Bogo City. Additional support reached single enterprises in Borbon, Catmon, and Sogod.
A second round on November 13-14 expanded assistance to 25 MSMEs in Borbon and 24 in Tabogon. The rapid impact assessment conducted across 13 local government units identified financing as the most urgent need among surveyed enterprises following the disasters.
Government's Whole-of-Nation Recovery Approach
The loan program features a three-year payment term with a six-month grace period, giving businesses breathing room to stabilize operations before beginning repayments. This disaster response forms part of the government's comprehensive strategy to support affected enterprises through coordinated efforts.
The Department of Tourism complemented the ERF Caravan by profiling affected tourism establishments for additional support through the Turismo Asenso loan window. DTI has announced preparations for another ERF caravan specifically targeting MSMEs impacted by Typhoon Tino, demonstrating the ongoing commitment to disaster recovery.
This multi-agency approach underscores the government's "whole-of-nation" strategy for rebuilding local economies and supporting business continuity in disaster-affected regions of the Philippines.
