Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 2073
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by Representative 
BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS FUND, PROVIDING 
FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Women entrepreneurs are vital contributors to economic development, yet they continue to face 
significant barriers in accessing startup funding and business support. Globally, female entrepreneurs 
receive less funding than their male counterparts, a disparity that is even more pronounced for women of 
color and those in developing countries. This funding gap limits their opportunities to innovate and build 
successful companies, thereby hindering gender parity efforts and economic growth.1 
In the Philippines, women own a substantial portion of small businesses, yet they receive a 
disproportionately small share of business loans. For instance, while women own 43% of all small 
businesses in the USA, they received only 17% of the business loans approved by the Small Business 
Administration in 2019. Such disparities highlight systemic issues that also resonate within our local 
context. 2 
Research indicates that even when women and men present comparable business plans, investors 
tend to favor male-led startups. This bias is often unconscious and stems from stereotypes equating 
masculine traits with entrepreneurial success. Additionally, the underrepresentation of women among 
2https://medium.com/%40LivedPlaces/why-female-entrepreneurs-get-significantly-less-startup-funding-tha
n-men-b6d64a99c1ff
1https://www.ubs.com/global/en/wealthmanagement/who-we-serve/women-wealth/insights/2021/funding-g
ap.html  
July 17, 2025
12:01 pm


investors and decision-makers exacerbates this issue, as funding decisions often favor those who reflect 
the investors' own traits and networks.3 
Despite these challenges, data shows that female-led firms often outperform their male 
counterparts. For example, female-founded firms backed by venture capital have been reported to perform 
63% better than male-founded firms. This suggests that investing in women entrepreneurs is not only a 
matter of equity but also of economic prudence. 4 
Recognizing the need to support women entrepreneurs, the World Bank has launched initiatives 
aiming to provide capital to 80 million women and women-led businesses by 2030. These efforts 
underscore the importance of facilitating access to finance and support for women entrepreneurs to foster 
inclusive economic growth. 5 
In light of these findings, this bill proposes the establishment of the National Women 
Entrepreneurs Fund, a ₱500 million seed fund managed by the Board of Investments (BOI) in 
coordination with the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), and the 
Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP). The Fund aims to provide zero-interest microloans, 
mentorship, capacity-building, and market access support to women-led startups, particularly in social 
enterprises, technology, and agribusiness sectors. 
By addressing the systemic barriers that women entrepreneurs face, this legislation seeks to 
empower women, promote gender equality, and stimulate inclusive economic development in the 
Philippines. 
In light of the forgoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
Representative 
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-List 
5
https://www.reuters.com/world/world-bank-rolls-out-new-strategy-boost-economic-opportunities-women-2
024-10-25/
4
https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/female-led-firms-outperform-rivals-finance-s
235q6dw5  
3https://www.ubs.com/global/en/wealthmanagement/who-we-serve/women-wealth/insights/2021/funding-g
ap.html  


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 2073
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by Representative 
BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS FUND, PROVIDING 
FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the “National Women Entrepreneurs Fund 
Act.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote 
inclusive economic growth by empowering women entrepreneurs. Toward this end, the State 
shall expand financial support, mentorship, training, and market access to women-led 
enterprises, especially startups and social enterprises, and shall integrate such initiatives with 
existing government programs that support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) .  
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
a) Women Entrepreneur – refers to any woman or group of women who establish, own, and
manage a business enterprise, regardless of size, provided it is duly registered.
b) Social Enterprise – refers to a business with a primary goal of solving social problems while
maintaining financial sustainability.
c) Start-up – refers to a newly established business, typically less than five (5) years in
operation, in any sector of the economy.​
d) BOI – refers to the Board of Investments.
e) SBCorp – refers to the Small Business Corporation.
f) OSAC-SI – refers to the One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments.
g) Fund – refers to the National Women Entrepreneurs Fund created under this Act.


SEC. 4. Creation of the National Women Entrepreneurs Fund. – There is hereby established 
a special fund to be known as the National Women Entrepreneurs Fund in the initial amount of 
₱500 million, which shall serve as seed capital to support women-led startups and enterprises. 
 
SEC. 5. Management and Administration. – The Fund shall be managed by the Board of 
Investments (BOI), in coordination with the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), Land Bank 
of the Philippines (LBP), and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP). The Department 
of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall provide oversight and alignment with existing MSME and 
export development initiatives. 
 
SEC. 6. Zero-Interest Microloans. – Women entrepreneurs may avail of zero-interest 
microloans from the Fund, particularly for ventures in social enterprises, technology, and 
agribusiness. Loan repayment shall have a grace period of up to 12 months, and terms shall be 
designed to encourage sustainability and reinvestment. 
 
SEC. 7. Capacity-Building and Mentorship Programs. – The Fund shall be integrated with 
the Go Negosyo Program and SheTrades PH, to provide: 
a) Business mentoring and incubation programs;​
b) Access to trade fairs, export promotions, and international market linkages;​
c) Fast-tracked registration and licensing through BOI’s OSAC-SI. 
SEC. 8. Women Entrepreneurs Summit. – An Annual National Women Entrepreneurs Summit 
shall be convened by the BOI in partnership with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), 
the DTI, and relevant NGOs. The Summit shall serve as a venue for: 
a) Business networking and funding pitches;​
b) Investor and government dialogues;​
c) Policy feedback and collaboration. 
SEC. 9. Appropriations. – The amount of ₱500 million shall be appropriated from the current 
General Appropriations Act (GAA). Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued 
implementation shall be included in the annual GAA. 
 
SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity 
of this Act, the BOI, in consultation with the PCW, DTI, SBCorp, DBP, and Landbank, shall 
promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). 
 
SEC. 11. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
 


SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and regulations 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
 
SEC. 13. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HON. BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
Representative 
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-List