GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 6 Oct) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Region 12 is set to open two additional Negosyo Centers as it moves to expand its services to more micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region.
Vanessa Claire Pleño, DTI-12 information officer, said Thursday the construction of the Negosyo Center in Polomolok town in South Cotabato is currently ongoing and they are working on the establishment of a second facility in Koronadal City.
She said the city government of Koronadal sought for the establishment of another center to augment the services of the existing facility, which is situated at the Notre Dame Business Center.
The agency opened a Negosyo Center last May in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat and another in Surallah town in South Cotabato last month, she said.
“So far we have opened nine Negosyo Centers and more will follow in the coming months,” Pleño said in a press conference.
The other existing centers are located in this city, Koronadal City, Cotabato City, Tacurong City, Kidapawan City, Midsayap in North Cotabato, and Alabel in Sarangani.
Pleño said these facilities have been offering free business advisory and business development services.
The DTI started the establishment of the Negosyo Centers last year as provided for in Republic Act 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act.
The Negosyo Centers are “one-stop-shops” that cater to various concerns and needs of existing and prospective MSMEs on various aspects of doing business, from start-up to the actual operations.
It specifically provides assistance to MSMEs in terms of business registration, business advisory services, business information and advocacy, and monitoring and evaluation of business processes.
Pleño acknowledged that the region presently has fewer Negosyo Centers when compared to other areas.
But she cited that the existing facilities in the region are “Type A” or complete centers with established buildings and regular personnel.
She said most of the Negosyo Centers in other regions are classified as “Type C” or desk-type facilities.
“Our target is to open complete Negosyo Centers in all 50 localities in Region 12,” she added. (MindaNews)
