Northern Mindanao will have 15 additional Negosyo Centers (NCs) this year through the Department of Trade and Industry in Region 10 (DTI-10). DTI Bukidnon is set to launch five (5) NCs, DTI- Lanao del Norte targets four (4) NCs, while both Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental are to establish three (3) more NCs each before 2018 ends.
There are already 805 NCs nationwide. With only 28 NCs maintained in the region in 2016, DTI-10 managed to launch 26 NCs last year. Today, 54 operating NCs serve Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) all over the region.
Republic Act No. 10644 or the “Go Negosyo Act”, signed into law by former President Benigno S. Aquino III, pushed the establishment and the continuous development of the NCs. This act seeks to create more employment opportunities by strengthening the capability and knowledge of MSMEs. The services under these centers are not limited to training provision. MSMEs can get business registration assistance, business information and advocacy, business advisory, and business evaluation. They can also avail of services such as technology transfers, marketing assistance, among others.
Just recently, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) and the DTI inked an agreement that will provide free internet and online learning in selected Negosyo Centers nationwide. To aide this movement, NCs nationwide are set to strengthen digital literacy through e-commerce and website development for MSMEs.
Aside from this, 43,189 clients were assisted in 2017 through the region’s 54 NCs. Through these centers, a total of Php 41.8M worth of micro loans were released to 98 MSMEs through Financial Institutions (FIs) and Government Financial Institutions (GFIs). Meanwhile, 1,673 qualified clients were also able to avail of the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) micro financing through the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp) in the same year.
In the province of Bukidnon, NCs maintained are in the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia and in the municipalities of Maramag, Manolo Fortich, Don Carlos, Talakag, Impasug-ong, Lantapan, Malitbog, San Fernando, Kalilangan and in Dangcagan; in Camiguin, the operational NCs are in Mambajao, Mahinog, Catarman, Sagay, and Guinsiliban; meanwhile, in Lanao del Norte, the NCs maintained are in Iligan City, Tubod, MSU-IIT, Kapatagan, Lala, Linamon, Baroy, Balo-i, Kolambugan, Kauswagan, Bacolod and in Sultan Naga Dimaporo; the NCs in Misamis Occidental are located in Ozamiz City, Oroquieta City, Plaridel, Jimenez, Calamba, Tudela, Aloran, Bonifacio and in Tangub City; In Misamis Oriental, there are operational NCs in Cagayan de Oro, Claveria, El Salvador, Laguindingan, Opol, Alubijid, Lugait, Tagoloan, Medina, Magsaysay, Balingasag, Talisayan, Binuangan, Jasaan, Sugbungcogon and in the Provincial Capitol in Cagayan de Oro (LGU).
Meanwhile, to strengthen support to MSMEs, NC business councilors and their counterparts in the LGUs, as well as selected DTI regular staff, underwent trainings last year under the Small Business Councilors’ Course (SBCC) focusing on Diagnostic and Strategizing for an Enterprise (SBCC 101) and on Strategic Marketing (SBCC 103).
This year, NC Business councilors and their counterparts in the LGU will go through the remaining trainings under SBCC, specifically on Business Environment (SBCC 102); Operations Management (SBCC 104); Financial Management (SBCC 105); and Investment Promotion (SBCC 106).♦
Date of release: 20 March 2018