DTI’s Negosyo Center brings business services closer to MSMEs in Pangasinan

 

ROSALES– Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Pangasinan can now have ease of access to various business services with the establishment of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Negosyo Center strategically located in three towns in the province.

Florante Leal, director of the DTI-Regional Office 1, said the business center, which is now operational in three areas in the province such as Alaminos City, Dagupan City and Rosales town, aims to bring government services closer to MSMEs and promote job generation and inclusive growth.

MSMEs are very important in Philippine’s economy because they comprise 99.6 percent of the population of the business sector in the country, Leal said.

“Aside from their population in the business sector, they also employ 70 percent of the labor force but in terms of their value added or contribution to the gross domestic products of the economy, MSMEs contributes only 32 percent,” he said stressing that something has to be done to help MSMEs improve their productivity.

Leal said at least 120 negosyo centers were already established in the country as of November 20 this year.

The established Negosyo Centers will be responsible for the following services to be provided to MSMEs: accept and facilitate all new registration and renewal of application; coordinate with the respective local government units (LGUs) and liaise with concerned government agencies to process the duly accomplished forms submitted by MSMEs; implement a unified business registration process preferably through automated systems; assist MSMEs in meeting regulatory requirements to start and maintain the business; build local support networks and establish market linkages; and facilitate access to grants and other forms of financial assistance, shared service facilities and equipment.

The business center will likewise give services such as: ensure management guidance; co-organize with the local chambers of commerce; conduct other programs or projects for entrepreneurial development; provide information and services in training, financing and marketing; establish and maintain a databank which will support business information requirements; promote ease of doing business and access to services for MSMEs; Coordinate with schools and related organizations on the development of youth entrepreneurship program; encourage women entrepreneurship through access to information, training, credit facilities, and other forms of assistance; monitor and recommend business-process improvement for MSMEs.

Negosyo centers in the province are located at the following addresses: ground floor of Robert Estrella Sr. Memorial Stadium in Barangay Poblacion in Rosales town; 2nd Floor of Star Building in Arellano Street, Dagupan City; and City Hall of Alaminos situated in Barangay Poblacion. (PIA-1, Pangasinan)