Course 8510 lessons

Starting a business in the Philippines

A step-by-step guide to legally starting a business in the Philippines, from choosing a business structure to registering with the DTI or SEC, BIR, and local government.

Choosing a business structure: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or cooperative

Before a single form gets filed, starting a business legally in the Philippines begins with one foundational choice: what kind of legal structure the business will operate under. That choice determines which government agency you register with first, how much paperwork you'll carry going forward, and who's personally on the hook if the business runs into trouble.