There are many Filipinos who have dreamt of starting their own businesses as an additional source of income and become small entrepreneurs. However, most of the time, these people do not have enough capital to launch their own start up business, and this is where the idea of “3P” was conceptualized.
The micro financing program called “3P” or the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso Program is a program by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) which aims to help the poor overcome poverty by giving them the opportunities to start their own business.
According to DTI, the program is designed to provide loans at reduced interest rates and is a counter to the 5-6 money lending scheme, which is popular for its very high interest rates.
If you would also want to engage in business but do not have access to credit, here are the things you need to know about availing of this loan.
• You need to show your valid ID’s and a proof of your small business at any P3 accredited partners namely Cebuana Lhuillier Finance Corporation, Taytay sa Kauswagan, Inc. (TSKI), Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, Inc. (CARD), Tulay sa Pag-unlad, Inc. (TSPI), National Confederation of Cooperatives, Inc. (NATCCO), Radiowealth Finance Company, Inc. (RFC), and Mindanao Alliance of Self-help Societies, Inc. (MASS-SPEC).
• You will have to fill out an application form, and will also have to undergo an interview so as to get more of your personal information. As soon as your application gets approved within the day, you will also be able to get your loan in the same day.
• The loanable amount ranges from 5,000 pesos up to 300,000 pesos. You will not be required to have any collateral and the interest rate can reach only up to 26 percent per year. This means that this is significantly lower than the interest rates being charged by 5-6 money lenders. It is also even lower than the interest rates charged by micro financing institutions.
• The target of the said program is the poor provinces in the Philippines, and if you need to know more information, you can visit the DTI office near you.
