SEC Extends Registration and Filing Fee Discounts for MSMEs

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has extended the availability of discounted rates for the registration and filing fees of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The move aims to encourage more businesses to formalise their operations and access the capital market at a lower cost.

On 9 January 2026, the Commission issued SEC Memorandum Circular No. 2, Series of 2026, which effectively prolongs the incentives originally introduced in 2025.

Under the new circular, MSMEs can avail of a 20% discount on corporate registration fees until 31 March 2026.

Furthermore, the regulator has extended the 50% discount for securities registration until 30 June 2026.

This incentive also covers companies utilising streamlined registration processes, including those in power generation, real estate, agribusiness, and the hospital sector.

SEC Chairperson Francis Lim emphasised the agency’s commitment to the sector.

He added that easing compliance costs would encourage entrepreneurs to formalise and tap into capital markets.

Since the initial implementation of these lower rates in July 2025, the SEC reports that it has granted approximately PHP 34.5 million in discounts to 15,425 MSMEs as of December 2025.

To qualify, applicants must meet the asset size criteria defined by the Magna Carta for MSMEs: up to PHP 3 million for micro, PHP 15 million for small, and PHP 100 million for medium enterprises.

Companies seeking the securities registration discount must also submit a certification of qualification and generally have a paid-up capital of PHP 25 million, with exceptions for agribusinesses.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Philippines based on an image by Freepik.

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