Iza Aldana
Feb 6, 2026
Low-interest loans help communities break free from informal lenders, build sustainable livelihoods
BAGUIO CITY — Farmers, cooperatives, and small entrepreneurs across Baguio City and Benguet are reporting steadier incomes and improved access to capital through the Presyo, Trabaho, Kita/Kaayusan (PTK) program championed by Alan Peter Cayetano.
During a Feb. 2 visit by Cayetano’s team to various communities, local groups showcased how the initiative has quietly strengthened grassroots enterprises by offering low-interest loans and revolving funds—providing an alternative to informal “5-6” lenders that often charge steep rates.
Market cooperatives in Baguio said the affordable financing has allowed members to replenish inventory and sustain daily operations without falling into debt traps. For many small vendors, the loans have become a crucial source of working capital.
At Wright Park, pony riders who rely heavily on tourism said the program has given them additional income opportunities beyond seasonal earnings.
“Life has become easier because we now have capital of our own. We no longer need to borrow at high interest,” said Arnel Cayato, president of the Wright Park Pony Boys.
In La Trinidad, strawberry farmers described PTK as a financial “safety net,” particularly during calamities, when quick access to funds allows them to continue planting and production despite losses.
Launched in 2013, the PTK program provides communities with affordable financing through a rolling fund system designed to circulate capital among beneficiaries. The model aims to help micro and small enterprises start up, recover, or expand without burdensome borrowing costs.
Encouraged by results in areas such as the Cordillera, Cayetano has also pushed for the proposed PTK Act, which seeks to institutionalize and expand the program nationwide to support micro, small, and medium enterprises.
According to the lawmaker, many Filipinos already possess the skills and drive to succeed in business, but limited access to affordable credit remains a major obstacle.
For beneficiaries in Baguio and Benguet, however, the impact is straightforward: less dependence on loan sharks, more control over their livelihoods—and a clearer path toward financial stability.
