ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched two new Negosyo Centers in Zamboanga del Norte province, bringing to 42 the number of centers operating all over Region 9, a top DTI official announced Thursday.
Dr. Sitti Amina Jain, DTI regional director, said the two new centers located in Sergio Osmeña and Jose Dalman towns were the 41st and 42nd Negosyo Centers the DTI has inaugurated in the region. The centers were inaugurated Wednesday.
Jain said the establishment of Negosyo Centers is one of the key components of Republic Act 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act, which aims to bring government services at the doorsteps of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs).
“The Negosyo Center is one of the very important provisions of the Negosyo Act authored by Sen. Benigno Aquino IV with the objective of establishing Negosyo Centers in all municipalities nationwide, the purpose of which is to bring the services of the government to where our entrepreneurs or our potential entrepreneurs are located,” she said.
Aside from the DTI, the Negosyo Center seeks to bring together its partner agencies and services in one place like the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), to include the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
“This center can serve as venue for their trainings and briefings,” Jain said.
She also encouraged the local government units (LGUs) to move their business licensing section to the Negosyo Center to make it much easier for entrepreneurs to process all requirements in one venue.
“What we want is when our MSMEs leave the center, all their concerns are already solved or addressed, saving them of additional expenses and efforts in complying all of the requirements for their businesses,” she stressed.
In case personnel from other concerned agencies are not present, the business counsellor manning the center will receive all the concerns of the MSMEs and forward it to the concerned agencies.
Jain urged all entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs to maximize the use of the Negosyo Centers.
“The center is for all of you. Use it to the fullest. The more of us are engaged in business, the better not just for you but for the economy. If there are businesses, then there are employment which provide income to people, income that will in turn lead to vibrant economic activities in our area,” Jain said.
Jain expressed gratitude to Sergio Osmeña Mayor Augustines Magsalay and Jose Dalman Mayor Rachel Ferrater for providing them the office spaces that realizes the establishment of the two new Negosyo Center.
Magsalay and Ferrater have in turn expressed their gratitude to the DTI for the establishment of Negosyo Centers in their towns.
Magsalay said business will further flourish in his town, which is being called as the “vegetable bowl of Zamboanga del Norte.”
“We are happy and thankful that DTI has brought to our doorstep their programs and projects. We don’t have to go as far as Dipolog City for their services,” Ferrater said.
Ferrater urged the MSMEs in her town to use the Negosyo Center to the fullest.
“This is intended for you so you can start or expand your businesses,” she added. (PNA)
