Kababaihan Party-list microfinance law for women a big win for Filipinas
Photo from Kababaihan Party-list
MANILA, Philippines – For millions of Filipinas dreaming of starting a small business, one major obstacle often stands in the way: access to capital.
The Kababaihan Party-list is championing a groundbreaking Microfinance Law for Women—a transformative initiative aimed at uplifting and empowering women across the country.
Photo from Kababaihan Party-list
In the Philippines, women make up a significant share of micro and small business owners. Yet many struggle to access affordable credit, especially in rural areas, due to strict requirements and lack of collateral.
While programs like the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) have helped many Filipinos get started, more robust support and complementary initiatives are needed to reach more women and ensure long-term impact.
Microfinance NGOs such as the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), which supports landless coconut workers in Laguna, and the Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF), have demonstrated how transformative small loans can be. But without a national policy, too many women are still left behind.
The proposed law aims to close these gaps by establishing a nationwide system dedicated to supporting women micro-entrepreneurs.
It promises easier access to small loans with lower interest rates and fewer requirements, ensuring that even women without traditional assets can secure funding.
The law also includes mentorship and training programs to help women not just survive but thrive and grow.
Kababaihan Party-list first nominee Kate Coseteng underscored the urgency of this effort, saying, “Wala pong batas na nagsisiguro na ang mga kababaihan ay may access sa microfinance. Kaya isinusulong po ng Kababaihan Partylist ang Microfinance Law for Women para matulungan ang mga kababaihang Pilipina na magkaroon ng sariling puhunan at makapagsimula ng negosyo.”
Research shows that when women have access to financial resources, they invest in their families’ health, their children’s education, and household needs—building stronger communities and a more resilient economy.
For Kababaihan Party-list, this isn’t just policy—it’s a mission. By addressing the unique challenges faced by Filipinas, the proposed Microfinance Law for Women promises to open the door to a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.
