By Jenny Grace M. Mendoza
DAVAO CITY, Aug. 3 (PNA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Region XI has opened a total of three Negosyo Centers in Davao Region for the month of July, this year.
Last July 6, the Negosyo Center in Davao Oriental opened; on July 9, in Davao del Sur and Davao City.
Negosyo Center is a one-stop shop for services intended to support existing and start – up small businesses. Its establishment is provided for in Republic Act No. 10644 (Go Negosyo Act) authored by Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, and was signed into law in July 15, 2014. It provides an array of services categorized into three major classifications, as follows: a) business registration assistance; b) business advisory; and, c) business information and advocacy.
The Center assists small business enterprise on their business registration, start-up businesses will be assisted in terms of information and facilitation of their registration documents and procedures for business name registration, business licensing and other regulatory permits. The Center will also be accepting and processing application for Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBE) certificate, as soon as procedures and guidelines are finalized.
Business advisory consist of counseling services to guide MSMEs especially in the areas of financing access and financial management, product development, market promotion, and, investment promotion, among others.
Under Business Information and Advocacy, the Center will provide relevant business information such as economic, technical, market and investments-related info data and materials and facilitate related info campaigns in the form of trainings, seminars, briefings, and, dialogues.
DTI XI OIC – Regional Director Maria Belenda Ambi said the Negosyo Centers will also leverage on the collaboration of government agencies, local government units, financing institutions and business support organizations to consolidate and make support programs and services accessible to MSMEs.
“Since the Negosyo Center is envisioned to be a one-stop-shop for micro and small entrepreneurs, it should be able manifest the convergence of programs and projects of all support institutions, both government and private. While the Center may not be able to host all these services, at least information will be made available and MSMEs will be guide,” she said.
In Davao Oriental, the Negosyo Center is located at the DTI-DO Provincial Office, 2F valles Building, Rizal Street, Mati City. In Davao del Sur, it is hosted by the Cor Jesu College of Digos, located at its main campus along Sacred Heart Avenue, Digos City. In Davao City, the Negosyo Center is hosted by the City Government of Davao and is located at the DCIPC, Door 7, Magsaysay Park Complex, R. Magsaysay Avenue.
Davao del Norte will launch its own Negosyo Center in August, while Compostela Valley will be by September 18. (PNA)