The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is urging micro, small, and medium enterprises to incorporate their businesses, aiming to connect small operations with capital market fundraising to drive long-term expansion.

The call comes as the corporate regulator wrapped up a three-day event coinciding with National MSME Development Week. The “Juan with SEC Caravan,” held from July 21 to 23 at the agency's headquarters in Makati, drew more than 600 business owners. The sessions focused on capital market access, company registration, corporate housekeeping, and regulatory compliance, while providing hands-on assistance with the commission’s digital services.

“Every large corporation was once a small business,” SEC Chairperson Francis Lim told participants. “Never underestimate where you are today. The next great Filipino enterprise may begin in a sari-sari store, a home-based business, an online shop, or a family business represented in this very room.”

Lim emphasized a shift in the agency’s approach toward small firms, pitching regulatory relief as a direct economic stimulus. “We are not just regulators; we are your partners in your growth,” Lim said. “We are committed to making it easier for you to do business by lowering costs through discounts, digitalization, faster processing, and more accessible services.”

Small and medium-sized firms form the backbone of the Southeast Asian nation's economy. The sector accounts for more than 99 percent of all registered businesses in the Philippines and employs over 60 percent of its total workforce, according to data from the United Nations Development Programme.

To ease the financial burden on smaller firms, the SEC has rolled out a series of fee cuts over the past two years.

In 2025, the commission slashed the cost of corporate document requests by 50 percent, expanding that discount to 75 percent this year. That policy yielded nearly ₱211 million in corporate data fee savings for businesses as of June 2026.

Additionally, the regulator introduced a 20 pe discount on initial corporate registration fees for MSMEs and a 25 percent reduction on fee amendments related to capital stock increases.

Combined, those registration discounts have saved the sector approximately ₱149 million.

“Instead of paying higher regulatory fees, that money can now be used as additional capital—to buy equipment, expand inventory, improve technology, or hire more employees,” Lim said.