MANILA -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reiterated their commitment to strengthening Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through financing programs and digitalization.

In today's edition of the media kapihan of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), DTI Undersecretary Blesilda Lantayona underscored how MSMEs are vital in economies.

"Our commitment to empower MSMEs has never been stronger," Lantayona said.

She said 99.5 percent of businesses in the country are MSMEs, so the agency's programs are heavy on MSMEs at "it brings sizable number of jobs and contributes to the GDP."

Lantayona said the agency is working to make loans more accessible for small business owners since surveys among MSMEs show financing as their top need.

"It's always financing that ranks first so if they qualify, many of our institutions now lower down requirements [for loans]," she said."

"It is always financing that is most requested for MSMEs so it's a matter of providing financing programs so MSMEs may move forward," Lantayona added.