THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Occidental and the Municipal Government of Valladolid have launched the 25th Negosyo Center in the province.
DTI-Negros Occidental Small and Medium Enterprises Development Head Engiemar Tupas, who led the unveiling rites on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, said the facility is also positioned to boost micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the locality.
Lodged at the town's Otop Building at Barangay Poblacion, it is the second Negosyo Center to be opened this year following that in Toboso town on July 29.
The DTI is upbeat that through the facility it can bring its services closer to the residents, which will also result in the creation of more enterprises in the locality, he added
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.
Like other Negosyo Centers in the province, the local government unit (LGU) has provided for the area while the DTI took charge of the signage, furniture and other equipment, among others.
Aside from Valladolid and Toboso, the agency targets to open eight more Negosyo Centers in the province this year.
These are in Pulupandan, Murcia, Manapla, Don Salvador Benedicto, Ilog, Moises Padilla, Calatrava and Candoni.
By that time, all of the 13 cities and 19 municipalities will already have their respective Negosyo Centers.
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.
In 2016, the eighth Negosyo Center in the province was unveiled in Hinigaran town.
Others that opened that year are those in the cities of Bacolod, San Carlos, Victorias, and La Carlota.
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.
The first three facilities opened in 2018 were those in Binalbagan, Cadiz City and Escalante City.
In the same year, Negosyo Centers were launched in towns of Pontevedra and San Enrique, and cities of Silay and Talisay.
Meanwhile, also present during the launching of Negosyo Center in Valladolid were town officials led by Vice Mayor Ruel Yogore.