30 Negosyo Centers launched in Central Luzon in 2018: DTI

By Franco Regala

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched a total of 30 Negosyo Centers to further boost the growth and development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Central Luzon this year.

DTI Regional Director Judith P. Angeles said that eight centers were opened in Nueva Ecija, seven in Zambales, five in Tarlac, four in Pampanga, three in Bulacan, two in Bataan and one in Aurora.

“We have already established a total of 94 Negosyo Centers from 2015-2018. That is about 72 percent of the 130 cities and municipalities in the region,” said Angeles.

She said the centers were established through the support of local government units and different stakeholders who are members of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council.

In total, Nueva Ecija has established the most number of Negosyo Centers with 20, followed by Pampanga and Tarlac with 15 each.

Zambales and Bulacan have 14 Negosyo Centers each while Bataan has 9 and Aurora has 7.

The sstablishment of Negosyo Centers is pursuant to Republic Act 10644, otherwise know as the Go Negosyo Act, which aims to strengthen inclusive growth in the countryside by enhancing the MSME Development Council.

The goal is to establish a Negosyo Center in each city and municipality that will provide business advisory, business development, business information services and capacity building programs to potential and existing MSMEs.