BACOLOD City – The number of businesses registered in Negros Occidental in the first six months of 2018 increased by close to 14 percent compared to the registration figures for the same period last year, data from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) showed.
From 7,566 businesses registered in the first half of 2017, which included 7,082 new and 484 renewals, the number rose to 8,766 from January to June this year. The latest data included 7,781 new enterprises and 985 renewals.
More than 50 percent of the registered businesses came from the retail sector while the rest are in service and manufacturing.
Engiemar Tupas, senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, said that as of Wednesday, the establishment of Negosyo Centers across the province has boosted business registration figures.
“They no longer need to go to Bacolod City since business name application can now be done in the Negosyo Centers in their respective localities,” he said.
The presence of Negosyo Centers has made the DTI services accessible especially to out-of-town enterprises, Tupas added.
He noted that Negosyo Center personnel regularly conduct monitoring of businesses, and encourage those without business name registration to enlist with the DTI.
A total of 16 Negosyo Centers have been established in various cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental since 2015.
The latest is in Binalbagan town, the first of the three facilities scheduled for opening this year.
“Business confidence in the province is high. Enabling laws that would encourage enterprises to open are already in place,” Tupas said.
Despite the criticisms against the government, the economy is picking up, he said, adding that the DTI expects the businesses registration to still increase by the end of the year.
Tupas said that all enterprises need to register with the DTI as provided by law, and as a requirement in securing local permits.
Registered businesses have legal identities enabling them to avail of various assistance and services from the government, he added. (PNA)
