TAGUIG CITY — A new credit registry is about to level the playing field for small business owners here, making it easier for them to secure bank loans and formal financing. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and private credit bureau ADVANCE.CBP have signed a landmark agreement to establish "SME Trust," a platform designed specifically for micro, small, and medium enterprises.
What SME Trust Means for Taguig Entrepreneurs
For many Taguig MSMEs—from sari-sari stores and local eateries to suppliers serving Bonifacio Global City—accessing formal credit has been a persistent challenge. Banks often view small businesses as risky because they lack formal credit histories. SME Trust aims to solve this by creating verified, data-backed business profiles that lenders can trust.
The initiative directly addresses the financing bottleneck that has long constrained local entrepreneurship. By translating informal business activities into structured data, the platform gives banks a reliable basis for loan evaluation. This means a local baker or a small logistics provider in Taguig can finally prove their creditworthiness.
How Taguig MSMEs Can Participate
The system will be integrated into DTI's nationwide network of over 1,400 Negosyo Centers, including the one located at Taguig City Hall. Small business owners can visit the Taguig Negosyo Center to have their business details encoded into the secure digital platform. This first phase focuses on capturing accurate and verifiable information.
The Taguig Negosyo Center is conveniently situated at the 2nd Floor Auditorium of Taguig City Hall on Gen. Luna Street in Barangay Tuktukan. This makes it highly accessible for entrepreneurs across the city's barangays. The goal is to ensure that businesses in Taguig enjoy the same digital visibility as those in Metro Manila's financial hubs.
A Three-Phase Roadmap to Financial Inclusion
The implementation will follow a structured approach. The first phase involves data capture and profile creation at Negosyo Centers nationwide. The second phase will open the platform to partner lending institutions and financial ecosystems. The final phase will integrate alternative data to generate predictive credit scores for automated loan evaluations.
The platform will combine digital identity verification, electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC), and CIC credit data. This ensures that the information is not only comprehensive but also secure. For Taguig MSMEs, this translates into faster approvals and more affordable financing options in the near future.
Leveling the Economic Playing Field
MSMEs account for over 99 percent of all businesses in the Philippines and employ the majority of the workforce. Yet they contribute only about 40 percent to the country's annual economic output. This disconnect is largely due to limited access to capital, which SME Trust aims to bridge.
For Taguig, a city that blends residential communities with a booming commercial district, the impact is significant. Local micro-entrepreneurs who once relied on informal "5-6" lenders will now have pathways to formal, low-interest credit. This unlocks opportunities for expansion, job creation, and long-term business growth.
A Digital Identity for Every Business
SME Trust provides more than just a credit score; it establishes a verifiable business identity. This allows Taguig enterprises to screen potential partners and suppliers with mutual consent, reducing risks in commercial transactions. The platform builds a foundation for a more inclusive, data-driven financial ecosystem.
The partnership between DTI and ADVANCE.CBP underscores a commitment to empowering Filipino entrepreneurs. By making MSMEs more visible, verifiable, and credit-assessable, the initiative supports the broader national agenda of inclusive growth. For Taguig City, this marks a significant step toward a more vibrant and resilient local economy.
