MINERVA BC NEWMAN
CEBU CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)- Cebu Provincial Office launched its 64th Negosyo Center (NC) in Central Visayas Tuesday, August 25 in Mandaue City that aims to promoted ease of doing business and facilitate access to services for the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mandaue City mayor Jonas Cortes and DTI-Cebu OIC Provincial Director Rose Mae Quiñanola with the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) execs and other local officials led the opening of the Negosyo Center in Mandaue City, the 29th center established across Cebu Province.
Mayor Cortes said that he will continues his support to all local entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs for inclusive development. The City government of Mandaue has pioneered several advancements in developing MSMEs such as weekly promotion of local delicacies in the Mandaue Investment Promotions Action Center (MIPAC) social media page bannered with ‘Tatak Mandaue’, he added.
According to Quiñanola Republic Act 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act mandates the creation of Negosyo Centers in every municipality, city and province throughout the country to help grow the MSME sector that accounts for around 99 percent of registered businesses in the Philippines.
Quiñanola said the Negosyo Center assists local MSMEs in business registration, business advisory services, business information and advocacy, and monitoring and evaluation activities.
Other Negosyo Centers established in the province include Cebu City, City of Naga and Carcar, Moalboal, and Dalaguete; most municipalities in the north including City of Danao and Bogo; Consolacion, Medellin and the islands of Camotes and Bantayan, Quiñanola bared.
“DTI Cebu is also set to launch Negosyo Center Talisay City by September,” Quinanola added.
Meanwhile, the Small Business Corporation Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso Covid-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (P3 CARES) has also conducted a ceremonial event for loan borrowers. The program provides interest-free loans to micro-businesses with assets not exceeding Php3 million, and small businesses with assets not exceeding Php15 million.
The SB Corp. can lend from Php 10,000 to Php 200,000 for micro-enterprises, and up to Php 500,000 for small enterprises payable for 18 to 30 months, Quinanola said that interested borrowers may avail of the program through online application at https://brs.sbgfc.org.ph or inquire at the Negosyo Centers. (Photos: DTI-7/Jojisilia Villamor)
