IN a major boost to female entrepreneurship in the country, South Asialink Finance Corporation (SAFC) has announced that its JUANAsenso Loan program has successfully extended over ₱1.030 billion in financing to 1,928 women borrowers between June 2025 and October 2026.
Designed to bridge the persistent capital gap faced by Filipina business owners, the program leverages vehicle refinancing—commonly known as Sangla OR/CR—allowing qualified women entrepreneurs to use their cars, pickup trucks, light delivery vans, or TNVS units as collateral to secure funding of up to ₱15 million.
Borrowers retain full possession of their vehicles, ensuring that the mobility critical to their day-to-day operations remains uninterrupted.
Individual loan releases under the initiative have ranged from ₱100,000 to approximately ₱8 million, featuring competitive interest rates of 0.99% and flexible repayment terms extending up to five years.
SAFC has streamlined the application process into three simple steps: document submission, vehicle inspection and evaluation, and fund disbursement, aiming for approval within one business day upon completion of requirements.
Geographic data reveals that more than 95% of the beneficiaries hail from Luzon, with Region IV-A (CALABARZON) leading the tally with 711 recipients.
The borrower profile spans 1,534 dedicated small and medium enterprise owners alongside 414 wage employees successfully managing side business ventures.
“Women entrepreneurs play an important role in the country’s economy, yet access to capital remains a challenge for many who want to grow their businesses. Through JUANAsenso, we aim to make financing more accessible by allowing women to leverage assets they already own to pursue their business goals,” said Maricel D. Dejongoy, SAFC President and CEO.
SAFC’s active push for financial inclusion did not go unnoticed, earning the institution the 2026 Global Banking & Finance Review Award for Best Financial Institution for Empowering Women in Business–Philippines.
To further advocate for women’s economic participation, SAFC recently hosted “JUANA TALKS” on November 10, 2026, convening business leaders, government representatives, and female entrepreneurs to discuss capital challenges and growth strategies.
Looking ahead, Dejongoy stated that the company plans to broaden the program’s footprint beyond Luzon into the Visayas and Mindanao regions, ensuring that even more Filipina founders can access vital financial opportunities.