THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Occidental is upbeat that the newly-opened Negosyo Center in Silay City will boost micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the city.
DTI-Negros Occidental senior trade and industry development specialist Engiemar Tupas, who was at the opening rites on Thursday, December 20, said like other Negosyo Centers in the province, the facility will also bring the services of the agency closer to entrepreneurs in Silay City.
Tupas, also the coordinator of Negosyo Center in the province, said the city is known for their native delicacies. It is one of the areas that the Negosyo Center could look into in order to improve the products through provision of various trainings such as product development.
“Silay City is starting to attract investments due to its proximity to the airport. Hence, the Negosyo Center could assist the local government in its investment promotion initiatives,” he added.
The facility in Silay City forms part of the 23 Negosyo Centers opened in the province since 2015.
The facility is located at the Puericulture Center within the City Hall Complex.
The local government has provided for the area while the DTI took charge of the signage, furniture, and other equipment, among others.
Mayor Mark Andrew Arthur Golez said the establishment of Negosyo Center in Silay is positioned to provide better and more efficient services to their MSMEs.
Now, instead of going all the way to Bacolod City for their business name registration, they can have the same done in Silay City, Golez said.
“This is in line with my 11-point agenda under the 'Asenso Silay, Asenso sang Panimalay Program' of providing skills and entrepreneurial training and support especially for micro-enterprises,” he added.
Present during the opening ceremony were DTI-Negros Occidental officials and personnel led by Provincial Director Lea Gonzales and some city government officials.
Earlier this year, the DTI opened six Negosyo Centers in Binalbagan, Cadiz City, Escalante City, San Enrique, Pontevedra, and Talisay City.
Last year, eight other Negosyo Centers were opened in the province. These are in Isabela, Hinoba-an, La Castellana, Cauayan, E.B. Magalona, Himamaylan, Bago City, and Sipalay City.
In 2016, the eighth Negosyo Center in the province was unveiled in Hinigaran town. Others that opened that year were those in the cities of Bacolod, San Carlos, Victorias, and La Carlota.
The Negros First Negosyo Center at the Provincial Capitol Complex in Bacolod City was opened in 2015 along with those in the cities of Kabankalan and Sagay.
The establishment of Negosyo Centers is provided under the Republic Act 10644, or the Go Negosyo Act.
It provides MSMEs the ease of doing business and facilitates access to grants and other forms of financial assistance, and shared service facilities (SSF), among others.
The law aims to ensure management guidance, assistance, and improvement of the working conditions of enterprises, and facilitate market access and linkage services for entrepreneurs.
Aside from these services, the Negosyo Center can also accept and facilitate business name registration applications. (EPN)