BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has assisted 22,064 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Negros Occidental last year through the Negosyo Centers across the province.
“If you are an entrepreneur who wishes to seek advice on business improvement, there are business counselors in Negosyo Centers who are willing to help you,” Romel Amihan, senior trade and development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, said Thursday.
The Negosyo Centers offer business consultancies, training courses and seminars, business registration assistance, business information and advocacies, among others.
There are 16 Negosyo Centers in the province, including the eight inaugurated only last year.
For 2018, at least four more are expected to open in Negros Occidental. The first three will be situated in Cadiz City, Escalante City, and Binalbagan town.
The eight that opened in 2017 were those in the towns of Isabela, Hinoba-an, La Castellana, Cauayan, EB Magalona, Himamaylan, Bago City, and Sipalay City.
Five Negosyo Centers were unveiled in the province in 2016 – located in Hinigaran town, and in the cities of Bacolod, San Carlos, Victorias, and La Carlota.
The Negros First Negosyo Center at the Provincial Capitol Complex in Bacolod City opened in 2015, along with those in the cities of Kabankalan and Sagay.
Engiemar Tupas, senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, had earlier said the increase in the number of enterprises in the province last year could be attributed to the establishment of Negosyo Centers, which provided business name registration services.
Tupas said registration had been made easier for business owners to enable them to get listed at the nearest Negosyo Center instead of going to Bacolod to register with the DTI Provincial Office.
Republic Act No. 10644, or the Go Negosyo Act mandates the establishment of Negosyo Centers. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
