The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Negosyo Center National Program Office headed by Asst. Regional Director Dorecita T. Delima, announced that fifteen (15) Negosyo Centers have been launched throughout the country as of June 10, 2015 since the project started last quarter of 2014.
Of the fifteen (15) Centers, five (5) became operational in 2014: Cagayan de Oro City; Boac, Marinduque; Calapan City Program Office (PO) in Oriental Mindoro; Iloilo City; and, Puerto Princesa City PO in Palawan. The ten (10) other Centers that have become operational this year include the following: Odiongan PO, Romblon; Victoria, Oriental Mindoro; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Kalibo, Aklan; General Santos City; Surigao del Norte; Pagadian City; Butuan City; Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay; and, Baguio City which was launched today, June 10. Of these, ten (10) Centers are housed and managed by the DTI, four (4) are lodged at the Local Government Units (LGUs), and one (1) is housed at the Chamber.
Aside from the Negosyo Center in Baguio City, another Center will also be launched in the said area on June 11, which will bring to sixteen (16) the total number of Negosyo Centers that have been launched. The two (2) Centers will serve different beneficiaries — one will support the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) while the other will serve the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) of the province of Benguet.
The establishment of the Centers is a provision in the Go Negosyo Act where the DTI has been given the key responsibility and challenge of establishing Negosyo Centers in all provinces, cities, and municipalities nationwide. The act seeks to strengthen MSMEs to create more job opportunities in the country. It was signed into law by Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III on July 15, 2014. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) likewise issued Department Administrative Order No. 14-5 series of 2014: “Implementing Rules and Regulations for Republic Act No. 10644. “
Posted By: Edrillan Pasion
