VICTORIA, LAGUNA— The Department of Trade and Industry – Laguna Provincial Office (DTI-Laguna), in view of its mandate to boost the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), continues to conduct training and seminars despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 Pandemic. On 3 March 2021, the Negosyo Center Victoria facilitated the SME Roving Academy (SMERA) Webinar on Essentials of Starting a Business via the Zoom conferencing platform.
One of the business counselors of Negosyo Center Victoria, Ms. Nikhaela Valenciano, discussed the pertinent facts related to the establishment of a business. She emphasized the following: (1) Negosyo Center Services; (2) Business Name Registration; (3) Barangay Micro Business Enterprise or BMBE; and (4) Business Plan Preparation.
For the Negosyo Center Services, the clients were informed that the said centers serve as the satellite offices in order to widen the reach in assisting MSMEs within the localities. Furthermore, several training, seminars, and consultancy sessions are being conducted in each center to improve the knowledge of the clients in operating their business, developing their products, or enhancing their service offerings.
It was also shared that the Business Name Registration can be done in both the provincial and satellite offices with the necessary requirements. The processing of mandatory licenses such as barangay clearance, mayor’s permit, BIR registration, and other statutory requirements shall ensue after the aforementioned business name registration.
As part of the additional incentives provided by the government to MSMEs, BMBE will aid in the following: exemption from the filing of annual income tax, exemption from the provisions of minimum wage law, availing of special credit window for loans, and prioritization in training and seminars provided the government agencies.
Also, MSMEs must prepare a business plan to fully grasp the path of her/his business. Having a “tunnel vision” shall help them in accomplishing the mission and vision of their enterprises. Determining the target market, the manpower, and other factors in operating a business must be comprehensively stated in the plan for easier monitoring and fulfillment.
Finally, the foregoing activity serves as an opening salvo for the series of training and seminars that DTI-Laguna will offer to its clients and stakeholders. This will perpetuate the hunger of MSMEs to sustain their drive in being the backbone of the economy, eventually bringing the Philippines into a rise in the economy.♦
Date of Release: 15 March 2021