BACOLOD City – Three more Negosyo Centers were opened in Negros Occidental this month.
The latest one is in Talisay City, which was opened on Oct. 30, according to the Department of Trade and Ind.
The other two centers are located in San Enrique and Pontevedra towns. They were opened on Oct. 26.
Senior trade and industry development specialist Engiemar Tupas said the newest Negosyo Centers were launched to boost the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province, especially those in the food sector.
San Enrique is known for its native delicacies, Tupas said, adding that the newly-installed Negosyo Center can provide interventions for product development seminars and trainings.
“We are also looking at expanding the number of beneficiaries of the product packaging and labeling assistance,” he added.
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 – the 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, Tupas said the center can provide further development interventions in making food products, gifts, décors, and housewares.
A total of 22 Negosyo Centers have been opened in Negros Occidental since 2015.
Earlier this year, three centers were also opened in Cadiz and Escalante cities and Binalbagan town.
In 2017, eight Negosyo Centers were opened 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 for under the Republic Act 10644, or the Go Negosyo Act, with the aim to provide MSMEs the ease of doing business and facilitate access to grants and other forms of financial assistance and shared service facilities, among others. (With a report from PNA/PN)
