The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission has encouraged financing and lending companies to provide calibrated and sustainable relief to borrowers whose repayment capacity may be affected by rising fuel prices linked to geopolitical developments in the Middle East. The guidance follows the declaration of a State of National Energy Emergency and prioritizes loan restructuring or rescheduling programs and targeted grace periods of at least one month. Relief may include modified payment schedules, extended loan terms, installments adjusted to borrowers’ capacity and waivers of penalties or similar charges during grace periods. Measures should reflect borrowers’ demonstrated financial distress and lenders’ financial capacity, liquidity and operational position. Larger firms and those operating online lending platforms or conducting high-volume consumer lending are expected to take a more proactive approach, while all relief arrangements should be documented, clearly explained and supported by borrowers’ informed consent.
2026-04-17Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission
Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission urges lenders to offer borrower relief during energy emergency
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission urged financing and lending companies to offer restructuring, rescheduling and targeted grace periods of at least one month to borrowers affected by the energy emergency. Relief should reflect borrower distress and lender capacity, with larger and high-volume or online lenders expected to take a more proactive approach.