MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is setting up 19 Negosyo Centers in the provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental this year to reach more micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
In a statement, the DTI said 10 Negosyo Centers would be established in Negros Occidental, particularly in the municipalities of Calatrava, Candoni, Ilog, Manapla, Moises Padilla (Magallon), Murcia, Pulupandan, Salvador Benedicto, Toboso and Valladolid.
When completed, the province would have Negosyo Centers in all its 19 municipalities and 13 cities, DTI said.
Meanwhile, DTI will put up nine Negosyo Centers in the municipalities of Balasan, Alimodian, Badiangan, Duenas, Dumangas, Igbaras, Janiuay, New Lucena and San Dionisio in Iloilo.
The new facilities will bring the total number of Negosyo Centers in Iloilo to 37 by yearend.
Other provinces in Western Visayas such as Guimaras, Aklan, Antique and Capiz have earlier completed Negosyo Centers in all their respective municipalities.
When all the Negosyo Centers are put up, the region would have a total of 147 by yearend.
Negosyo Centers are being established in line with Republic Act 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act, which seeks to promote the development of MSMEs.
Through these facilities, MSMEs can avail of services in the processing of business requirements like obtaining registration, business license, as well as getting technical, financial, and business management assistance.
As of the end of November last year, the country’s 1,110 Negosyo Centers assisted 217,213 clients.
DTI is pushing for the development of MSMEs, which serves as the backbone of the economy.
The sector accounts for bulk of all registered businesses, and about two-thirds of employment in the country.