Cebu to have three Negosyo Centers

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/cebu-business/2015/06/23/1469055/cebu-have-three-negosyo-centers
• Tuesday, June 23, 2015 12:00 am

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu will have at least three Negosyo Centers by next month, as both regional and provincial offices of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here will open two facilities, including a Center that will be based in Bogo.

Cebu is one of the identified pilot areas for the first 100 Negosyo Centers in the country, said Senator Paulo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV, in his recent visit to Cebu.

Aquino, who is one of the major proponents of the "Go Negosyo Law," said that the government, through DTI is accelerating the establishment of "Negosyo Centers" around the country to further capacitate Filipinos to do business, and take advantage of the good environment for entrepreneurship.

In Cebu, Aquino called the participation of the business community to be active in helping their constituents succeed in business, "this is a tripartite program. We need the private sector's expertise and mentoring ability. This is our focal point to help achieve inclusive growth.

The creation of "Negosyo Center,” is a project aimed at preparing the country for the full implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community integration, and promote growth of the country’s SMEs, as stipulated in the RA 10644, otherwise known as Go Negosyo Act of 2004.

DTI undersecretary for regional group operations Zenaida Maglaya said that the agency targets to open at least 100 Negosyo Centers this year. Cebu is one of the pilot areas to open this facility.

A one-stop-shop for SMEs, Negosyo Center is where SMEs can do business without hopping from one office to another in order to comply with needed requirements.

The facility may be located within the DTI office compound or at designated area by local government unit (LGU).

According to Maglaya there is a dire need for the Philippines to offer this kind of service to the SMEs, which comprise the 99 percent of businesses in the country.

She said taking care of the SMEs, as well as boosting the growth of the small and medium business players is very vital under the Asean Economic Community (AEC) regime, for them not to be overtaken by the entry of global businesses in the country.

DTI has it that at least 50 percent of the total target of 100 Go Negosyo Centers should have been established by 2nd quarter of 2015. Funds will be allocated per region.

Under the Implementing Rules and Regulation, the DTI’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Council will approve a multi-phase plan for the establishment and management of Go Negosyo Centers within 180 days of its reconstitution.

In areas where there are existing SME Centers and National Economic Research and Business Assistance Centers administered by the DTI, the facilities may be converted into Go Negosyo Centers.

The Negosyo Centers shall have the following functions: business registration assistance, business advisory services, business information and advocacy and monitoring and evaluation of business processes for MSMEs.

The Centers will be linked to the Philippine Business Registry System (PBRS) to make it easier and faster for entrepreneurs to start and register their businesses at the local level.

For the Go Negosyo Centers to be able to provide business registration assistance, the DTI along with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and other relevant agencies will develop a unified and simplified business registration form based on the current form being used for the business process and licensing system.

Aside from making business registration easier, the Negosyo Centers will allow MSMEs to avail of other services such as technology transfer, production and management training programs as well as marketing assistance from the DTI, Department of Science and Technology, University of the Philippines – Institute for Small-Scale Industries, Cooperative Development Authority, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and other agencies concerned.