The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it granted more than P80 million in fee waivers in 40,157 transactions processed under three memorandum circulars (MC) issued between July and October.
More than half of the total savings went to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the SEC said in a statement on Tuesday.
The relaxation stems from MC Nos. 6, 8, and 9, series of 2025, which aim to reduce the costs of corporate registration and capital market access.
The SEC said these measures are part of its broader strategy to streamline incorporation and boost MSME participation in the formal economy.
SEC Chairman Francis Ade. Lim said the reforms reflect the commission's commitment to “unleash the huge potential of the MSME sector in driving the growth of the Philippine economy.”
MC No. 6, which took effect July 1, granted a 50% discount on physical and certified copies of corporate filings, including articles of incorporation and bylaws. The SEC said this resulted in registrants saving P36.5 million.
mc No. 8, released on July 16, reduced filing fees for MSME registration and increased capital stock. The SEC reported that 8,506 MSMEs benefited from P21.4 million in registration fee waivers, while more than 200 MSMEs saved P19.4 million on increasing their authorized capital stock.
mc No. 9 provided a 30% discount on registration fees for companies raising funds through the capital markets, saving P3 million, the SEC said.
The circular applies to all registration statement applications filed by the end of the year.
“The SEC will continue to assess its rules and policies to see where we can provide further assistance to our stakeholders,” Mr Lim said.
The SEC's latest initiatives align with broader government efforts to formalize MSMEs, which account for 99.5% of registered businesses and employ more than 60% of the country's workforce. , Alexandria Grace C. Magno
