BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) opened the 13th Negosyo Center in Negros Occidental province on Thursday, this time in the southern municipality of Cauayan.
DTI-Negros Occidental provincial director Lea Gonzales said the opening of the facility is expected to boost the town’s entrepreneurs, especially those engaged in producing virgin coconut oil, coco coir, “coconet” and other coconut-based products.
The Negosyo Center can help further develop the local industry through services it provides, among them entrepreneurship, product development and marketing training, Gonzales said.
“Coco coir is one of the agency’s priority commodities in the province and coconut as raw material is abundant in Cauayan,” she added.
The Cauayan facility is the fifth to be opened in the province this year after those in the cities of Sipalay, Bago and Himamaylan, and town of EB Magalona.
In 2016, the eighth Negosyo Center in the province was unveiled in Hinigaran town. Also opened last year were those in the cities of Bacolod, San Carlos, Victorias, and La Carlota.
The Negros First Negosyo Center at the Provincial Capitol Complex in Bacolod City was opened in 2015 along with those in the cities of Kabankalan and Sagay.
The host local government units provided the area for the facility, while the DTI took charge of the refurbishing, basic equipment, and training component.
The establishment of Negosyo Centers is provided under Republic Act No. 10644, or the Go Negosyo Act.
It provides micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) ease in doing business, and facilitates access to grants and other forms of financial assistance, and shared service facilities (SSF), among others.
The law also seeks to ensure management guidance, assistance and improvement of the working conditions of MSMEs, and facilitate market access and linkaging services for entrepreneurs. (Erwin Nicavera/PNA)
