SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) CALABARZON regional office has vowed to sustain its “Go Local” promotional activities and awareness campaign and establish more Negosyo Centers in the region for 2018.
DTI CALABARZON Director Marilou Q. Toledo told local media here during the appreciation luncheon that the department under the leadership of Secretary Ramon M. Lopez has spearheaded the “Go Local” initiative to promote locally-made products and spur competitivenes of Filipino products, crafts and trade in the world market.
Toledo said that up in DTI’s 2018 aggressive plans are putting up more Negosyo Centers in towns and cities in the region through collaborative partnerships with the local government units as sites of the business hubs.
She said that part of their strategy is to coordinate and forge links with malls, outlets and trading hubs to implement the “Go Local!” especially during trade fair exhibits, mall and business events and as part of the commercial establishments’ products and trade stuffs up for sale to patronize local products to consumers and customers.
The DTI regional director explained that their “Go Local!” strategy, through the support of various big business establishments and commercial outlets, would heighten awareness that Filipino-made, designed, manufactured and crafted products are also at par with world-class standards and make them saleable through local patronage by consumers thereby spurring more dynamism in industries and trade and boost the country’s economy.
For her part, DTI-Laguna provincial director Susan R. Palo said the Negosyo Center provided for in Republic Act No. 10644 or the “Go Negosyo Law” is a collaborative undertaking of the DTI and the local government units.
Palo said that the Negosyo Center serves as a “Small Business Advisory Office” to encourage, assist and support especially the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and aspiring entrepreneurs to start their businesses.
She said DTI guides them in business registrations, applications for business permit and license and their business transactions with prospective suppliers for trade items including equipment for those who will engage in services like automotive shops and other service establishments.
DTI officials also said the establishment of Negosyo Centers in the localities brings government services closer to the people. (Ruben E. Taningco/PNA)
