Regulatory Alerts2026-03-26
SEC MC No. 13, Series of 2026: Extending Discounted Filing Fees for MSMEs
The Securities and Exchange Commission extends discounted filing fees for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to support their growth and reduce compliance costs. Qualified MSMEs are granted a 20% discount on corporation registration fees until December 31, 2026, and a 50% discount on securities registration fees until June 30, 2026. Availment requires applicants to meet specific asset size definitions under RA No. 9501 and submit a Certification of MSME Qualification, with certain securities filings also requiring a minimum paid-up capital of PHP 25 million.
SEC MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 13 Series of 2026
TO : ALL CONCERNED
SUBJECT : FURTHER SUPPORTING THE GROWTH AND EXPANSION OF MICRO, SMALL, AND MEDIUM-ENTERPRISES (MSMES) BY EXTENDING DISCOUNTED RATES FOR CERTAIN FILING FEES
WHEREAS, Section 179 (o) and (p) of the RCC of Republic Act (RA) No. 11232, otherwise known as the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines grants the Commission the power and authority to (i) formulate and enforce standards, guidelines, policies, rules, and regulations to carry out the provisions of the RCC; and (ii) exercise such other powers provided by law or those which may be necessary or incidental to carry out the powers expressly granted to it;
WHEREAS, Section 4 of RA No. 9501, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises” provides that qualified MSMEs shall be entitled to government assistance and support measures to enhance their viability and competitiveness;
WHEREAS, consistent with the foregoing mandates, the Commission previously granted discounted filing fees under Memorandum Circular No. 2, Series of 2026, which has benefitted a significant number of MSMEs; and
WHEREAS, the Commission remains committed to accelerating the growth and development of the MSMEs by lowering barriers to business formalization, reducing cost of compliance and promoting ease of doing business;
NOW THEREFORE, the SEC hereby EXTENDS the discount structures for MSMEs on the following filing fees:
I. FROM THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS CIRCULAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2026
| PARTICULARS | DISCOUNT |
|---|---|
| Registration of Corporation | 20% of the assessed fee |
Published: Philippine Star, 28 March 2026 Manila Standard, 28 March 2026
Filed with UP Law Center: 26 March 2026
II. THE DISCOUNT FOR THE REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES, UNDER MC NO. 8, S. 2025 SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL 30 JUNE 2026
| PARTICULARS | DISCOUNT |
|---|---|
| Registration of Securities | 50% of the assessed fee |
| (including, among others, securities being registered by qualified power generation companies and distribution utility companies pursuant to SEC MC No. 4, s. 2024,¹ real estate developers and/or managers in relation to rental pool agreements pursuant to SEC MC No. 12, s. 2024,² agri-business corporations pursuant to SEC MC No. 8, s. 2023,³ and hospitals pursuant to SEC MC No. 11, s. 2017⁴) |
III. COVERAGE AND CONDITIONS FOR AVAILMENT
- At the time of filing, applicants should fall under the definition of MSMEs as provided under Section 3 of RA No. 9501, as follows:
| CLASSIFICATION | ASSET SIZE |
|---|---|
| MICRO | Not more than PHP 3,000,000.00 |
| SMALL | PHP 3,000,001.00 - PHP 15,000,000.00 |
| MEDIUM | PHP 15,000,001.00 - PHP 100,000,000.00 |
- In order for Securities Registration filings to be entitled to a discount under Item II of this Circular, the following conditions must be complied with by the applicant:
a. Submit a Certification of MSME Qualification, executed by the President or Treasurer, stating the company’s total assets, inclusive of those arising from loans but exclusive of the land on which the business entity’s office, plant, and equipment are situated, consistent with Section 3 of RA No. 9501; and
b. Except for agri-business corporations filing for the registration of securities pursuant to SEC MC No. 8, s. 2023 (SEC FARMS), an applicant must have a paid-up capital of Twenty-Five Million Pesos (PHP 25,000,000.00).
¹ Securing & Expanding Capital for PowerGen Operators & Wholesale Electricity & Retail Services (“SEC POWERS”) ² Securing & Expanding Capital for Real Estate Non-Traditional Securities (“SEC RENT”) ³ Securing & Expanding Capital for Farms and Agribusiness Related Modernization Schemes (“SEC FARMS”) ⁴ Simplified Registration Statements for Hospitals (“SEC HOPES”)
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IV. REPEALING CLAUSE
All issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Circular are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
V. EFFECTIVITY
This Circular shall take effect immediately upon its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
26th day Done this ____ of March 2026 in Makati City, Philippines.
For the Commission:
(Signature) FRANCISCO ED. LIM Chairperson
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