DTI R6 Regional Director Rebecca Rascon (from left) gives her inspirational message during the launching of the Negosyo Center in Poblacion, Badiangan, Iloilo on August 17, followed by a MOA signing between DTI and the local government of Badiangan and ribbon-cuting led by DTI Iloilo Provincial Director Felisa Judith Degala with Badiangan Municipal Mayor Suzette Mamon

BADIANGAN, ILOILO – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with the local government of Badiangan launched the Negosyo Center in Poblacion, Badiangan, Iloilo on 17 August.

The Negosyo Center is a one-stop-shop for services that cater to the entrepreneurs’ need in processing requirements to establish a business, and responsible for promoting ease of doing business and facilitating access to services for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

DTI Region 6 Regional Director Rebecca Rascon emphasized that the Negosyo Center is a grassroots approach that aims to bring closer the different DTI services to the MSMEs down to the barangay level.

She explained that it will boost Badiangan’s potential and generate business opportunities in different industries such as weaving, processing of ginger products and metal works.

“The integration of all these opportunities takes effort from the government agencies, private sector and the academe. I am hoping to see a progressive and sustainable Badiangan in the near future,” she said.

DTI Iloilo Provincial Director Felisa Judith Degala, on the other hand, stated that the DTI has been assisting the Municipality of Badiangan since 2020 through various programs such as the Livelihood Seeding Program (LSP), which assists beneficiaries affected by the pandemic; the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Program which assists beneficiaries affected by calamities; and provision of basic entrepreneurial trainings.

“We bring the government’s services closer to the people through this Negosyo Center in addition to the different programs that DTI brought to this municipality over the years,” stated Degala.

The DTI and the local government of Badiangan signed a memorandum of agreement for the management of the Negosyo Center which was witnessed by the different MSMEs present and representatives from the local government of Badiangan and DTI Region VI.

It was followed by the expression of support from the MSMEs, awarding of livelihood kits to LSP and PPG beneficiaries, ribbon-cutting and capped off with the unveiling of the Negosyo Center signage.

The local government of Badiangan, through Municipal Mayor Suzette Mamon, expressed   gratitude for the establishment of a Negosyo Center in their municipality as it will promote job generation and development of MSMEs while providing better access to DTI’s services.

“This program is a vital need for us in this municipality in terms of MSME support and linkage. As part of our obligation, we need to sustain and support the operations of this Negosyo Center as this will bring benefits to our constituents and uplift the quality of their lives,” stressed Mayor Mamon.

This is the 36th Negosyo Center launched in the province of Iloilo. It will be manned by a business counselor designated by the DTI to provide business consultancy services.  

The establishment of the Negosyo Center is in line with the Go Negosyo Act which mandates the establishment of Negosyo Center in all provinces, municipalities and cities in the country.

Date of Release: 17 August 2022