THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Occidental is eyeing to open 10 additional Negosyo Centers in the province this year, its official said.
Engiemar Tupas, officer-in-charge chief of Industry Development Division of DTI-Negros Occidental, said the establishment, though, of more Negosyo Centers in the province will depend on the agency’s availability of funds.
Tupas said the DTI takes charge of the manpower, signage, furniture and other equipment, among others. While, the area or structure is provided by the recipient-local government unit (LGU).
“Since 2015, we have established 23 Negosyo Centers in 22 cities and municipalities in the province,” he said, adding that under the law, all LGUs should have such facility.
The establishment of Negosyo Centers is provided under the Republic Act 10644, or the Go Negosyo Act.
It provides micro, small and medium enterprises (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.
In 2018, DTI-Negros Occidental opened seven Negosyo Centers in Binalbagan, Cadiz City, Escalante City, San Enrique, Pontevedra, Talisay City, and Silay City.
In 2017, 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 agency has yet to open 10 more Negosyo Centers in Valladolid, Pulupandan, Moises Padilla, Candoni and Ilog in the south, and Manapla, Toboso, Calatrava, Murcia and Salvador Benedicto in the north.
Tupas, also the focal person for Negosyo Center in Negros Occidental, said the establishment of these facilities has positively contributed to the development of local entrepreneurs.
Also, it has helped in the generation of more employment especially in the countryside, he said, adding that Negosyo Centers enabled the DTI in bringing its services closer to the people.