DTI Eastern Visayas launches 16 business centers

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 8 (PNA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched 16 Negosyo Centers from January to November this year with two more facilities up for opening this month.

Business centers are scheduled for opening before the year ends in Tacloban and Ormoc City, bringing the total to 18 operating centers in Eastern Visayas.

In the past 11 months, the trade department has opened Negosyo Centers in Borongan City and Guiuan in Eastern Samar; Catbalogan City and Calbayog City in Samar; Laoang, Northern Samar; Maasin City in Southern Leyte; Palo, Tanauan, Abuyog, Baybay, Hilongos, San Isidro, Palompon, and Carigara in Leyte province.

“We still have to finalize the target for 2016. It would depend on how much the budget we have for the project next year,” said DTI Regional Director Cynthia Nierras in a phone interview.

Setting up of business centers is in compliance to Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act. The law seeks to strengthen micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to create more job opportunities in the country.

Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III signed the law on July 15, 2014, which took effect on Jan. 13, 2015.

The centers will be responsible for promoting "ease of doing business and facilitating access to services for micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within its jurisdiction," such as business registration assistance, business advisory services, business information and advocacy, and monitoring and evaluation.

The MSME Development Council, through the DTI, is the coordinating and supervising body for all the agencies involved in the establishment and operation of the Negosyo Centers.

It performs oversight functions and assigns personnel to fulfill the functions of the center. (PNA)
JMC/Sarwell Q. Meniano