DTI formally opens two Negosyo Centers in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines – Two Negosyo Centers were formally opened yesterday in the regional and provincial offices of the Department of Trade and Industry here in Cebu.

The centers, which gained the support of the private sector, will offer assistance to micro-small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) including advisory services for individuals who may want start their own business.

CCCI Entrepreneur of the Year Bunny Pages leads the group of businessmen who have volunteered to provide counsel to entrepreneurs who may seek assistance from the center. The Negosyo Center is a one-stop-shop for any business related concerns and services.

Aside from the expected commitment from the different government agencies, like the Social Security System, Philhealth, Pag-Ibig, Bureau of Internal Revenue, SMED Council, and government controlled financial institutions, among others, influential business organizations like Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), PhilExport, Cebu- Gifts Decors and Housewares Foundation (Cebu-GTH), Fashion Accessories Manufacturers and Exporters (FAME) also joined in to offer help for the center to develop more successful entrepreneurs.

The Negosyo Center is a project aimed at preparing the country for the full implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community integration as well as promote growth of the country’s SMEs, as stipulated in the RA 10644, otherwise known as Go Negosyo Act of 2004.

Although the Negosyo Center's function is more like the previously DTI-operated National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center or Nerbac, but now services are not only limited to business licensing and processing, but also helping entrepreneurs and other concerns like business advisory/counseling--access to finance, market access, promotion, and business information and advocacy.

In fact, the University San Carlos College of Business through Joyce Yang, would provide the center support on business analytics, and other capability building for entrepreneurs.

The opening of the two Negosyo Centers in Cebu brings the centers opened by the DTI since last year to 80, and the agency looks forward to realizing its goal to open at least 100 centers before the end of this year, said DTI regional operations group head, undersecretary Zenaida C. Maglaya.

In Central Visayas, DTI already opened one center each in Bohol, Siquijor, Negros, and today it is opening the Negosyo Center in Bogo.

According to DTI-Cebu Provincial director Nelia F. Navarro, the center has enough number of manpower to address to different needs of MSMEs, there are already well trained people inside the organization that will inter-act with the clients.

Navarro added that she is also inviting more financial institutions like banks, to join the center.

At present though, financial institutions like RAFI Micro-finance, SB Corporation, Land Bank of the Philippines, Bank of the Philippine Island have already made their commitments to offer assistance to entrepreneurs who are needing capital back-up.

Under the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR), the  DTI’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Council will approve a multi-phase plan for the establishment and management of Go Negosyo Centers within 180 days of its reconstitution.

For the Go Negosyo Centers to be able to provide business registration assistance, the DTI along with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and other relevant agencies will develop a unified and simplified business registration form based on the current form being used for the business process and licensing system.