KALAYAAN, LAGUNA — The Department of Trade and Industry – Laguna Provincial Office (DTI Laguna), in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Kalayaan through its Negosyo Center, conducted a seminar on Setting-up a Business cum Digitalization through Google My Business under the SME Roving Academy (SMERA) Program of DTI Laguna. The seminar ran for two consecutive days from February 22 to 23, 2023, and was participated by a total of fifty (50) existing and potential micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Negosyo Center Kalayaan was launched last December 12, 2022, and this 2-day seminar was the first of many SMERAs to be conducted for Kalayaan MSMEs. The seminar was facilitated by Negosyo Center Business Counselors Andrea Mae Macuha and Joemarie Valizado, with both serving as resource speakers as well.

The morning session started with a prayer led by Valizado and was immediately followed by opening remarks from Sectoral Officer Angelito Presoris. An inspirational message was also given by the Municipal Administrator of Kalayaan Kris Anne Laganapan-Pesigan. Afterwards, Business Counselor Macuha continued the program with the discussion of their first topic Setting-up a Business, delivering intricate details with ease.

The resource speakers wasted no time and moved on with the next topic about digitalization. Business Counselor Valizado served as the resource speaker and started her discussion by giving participants a background first on marketing. She then proceeded to explain Google My Business using simple visual aids for participants to understand. Google account and Facebook Page creation were also shared by Valizado and tips on Business Page optimization.

The seminar was concluded by offering other services of DTI Laguna, with Negosyo Center as its satellite office providing assistance to loan facilitation, Business Plan creation, Business Name Registration and Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE). Closing remarks were delivered by Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Officer Marty Sasondoncillo. The participants of the seminar were thankful and looking forward for more entrepreneurial seminars from DTI Laguna.

Date of Release: 3 March 2023