DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lea Gonzales (3rd from left) and Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist Engiemar Tupas (2nd from left) with Mayor Jose Benito Alonso (3rd from right) and Fourth District Board Member Jose Maria Alonso (right) during the opening of the Negosyo Center in Pontevedra town on Friday (October 26, 2018). (Photo courtesy of DTI-Negros Occidental)
BACOLOD CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) opened three more Negosyo Centers in Negros Occidental this month, including the latest one unveiled in Talisay City on Tuesday.
Engiemar Tupas, senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, said the newest Negosyo Centers are positioned to boost the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those in the food sector in the three localities.
Two others were opened in the neighboring San Enrique and Pontevedra towns on October 26.
Tupas noted that since San Enrique is known for its native delicacies, the Negosyo Center can provide interventions mainly for product development seminars and trainings.
“We are also looking at expanding the number of beneficiaries of the product packaging and labeling assistance,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tupas said the DTI has yet to conduct an inventory of other potential industry sectors in Pontevedra but they are looking at initially developing a one-town, one-product -- banana marbles.
The center can further help MSMEs in the municipality by value-adding, or producing other processed products using banana as raw material, he added.
In Talisay City, food products, as well as gifts, decor and houseware are strong sectors where the Negosyo Center can also provide further development interventions, Tupas said.
The latest three are now among the 22 Negosyo Centers opened in Negros Occidental since 2015.
Earlier this year, three facilities were also opened in Cadiz and Escalante cities and Binalbagan town.
In 2017, eight Negosyo Centers were opened. These are in Isabela, Hinoba-an, La Castellana, Cauayan, E.B. Magalona, Himamaylan, Bago City, and Sipalay City.
Eight were also opened in 2016, including those in Hinigaran town and 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 establishment of Negosyo Centers is provided under the Republic Act 10644, or the Go Negosyo Act, with the aim to provide MSMEs the ease of doing business, and facilitates access to grants and other forms of financial assistance, and shared service facilities, among others. (PNA)
