DTI business registrations rose by nearly 9% in the first seven months of 2026, signaling continued entrepreneurial activity in the Philippines despite persistent economic pressures.
The increase was largely driven by strong demand from businesses in the wholesale and retail trade sector, which continued to account for the biggest share of registrations.
The latest figures build on the growth recorded earlier in the year, when business name registrations also posted increases during the first quarter and first half of 2026.
Wholesale and retail businesses lead
The wholesale and retail trade sector remained the biggest source of new business activity during the period. The sector includes businesses involved in the sale of personal and household goods, as well as the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles.
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From January to June, the sector accounted for 369,919 registrations, or around 56% of the total, according to DTI data reported by Manila Bulletin. Accommodation and food service activities followed with 89,232 registrations, while real estate and manufacturing also recorded significant activity.
The trend has been consistent throughout 2026. During the first quarter, wholesale and retail businesses generated 286,605 registrations, representing 57% of total filings.
New entrepreneurs continue to enter the market
A large portion of the registrations recorded by DTI came from new businesses rather than renewals. In the first half alone, 558,245 registrations, or nearly 85% of the total, were new business names, while 101,502 were renewals.
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The continued growth suggests that more Filipinos are formalizing business activities, particularly in sectors where relatively low barriers to entry allow entrepreneurs to start small and gradually expand.
The rise also comes as DTI continues encouraging micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to formalize their operations and adopt digital tools. The agency has highlighted business registration, financing, digital technologies, and market access as important areas for helping enterprises become more competitive and resilient.
Digital tools could shape the next stage
For many new entrepreneurs, registering a business is only the beginning. Access to digital payments, online marketplaces, digital banking, financing platforms, and other technology-enabled services can determine how quickly a small operation moves from informal activity to a scalable business.
This is particularly relevant for wholesale and retail businesses, where digital channels can help entrepreneurs accept cashless payments, reach customers beyond their local communities, and manage transactions more efficiently.
The DTI has also identified wholesale and retail trade as an important economic engine. The sector accounted for 18% of the country’s gross domestic product in 2024 and employed around 10.2 million Filipinos, highlighting its importance to both economic activity and employment.
A growing base of Philippine businesses
The continued increase in DTI business registrations points to sustained interest in entrepreneurship across the country. While registration numbers alone do not measure whether new businesses will succeed, the strong flow of new applications provides an indication of the number of Filipinos entering formal business activity.
As more entrepreneurs move into the formal economy, access to digital financial services, financing, and technology could become increasingly important in helping these businesses survive, expand, and contribute to broader economic growth.
