Negosyo Centers serve over 750,000 entrepreneurs nationwide

More than 750,000 entrepreneurs have been served by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Negosyo Centers nationwide.
(Photo: DTI/Facebook)

MANILA—More than 750,000 entrepreneurs have been served by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Negosyo Centers nationwide.

“There are 759,223 total clients served to date, to include business name registration and other Negosyo Center services,” DTI Undersecretary for Regional Operations Group Zenaida Maglaya said in a chance interview.

She noted that for business name registration alone, Negosyo Centers have facilitated at least 438,619 clients — 52,284 entrepreneurs in 2015, 283,487 entrepreneurs in 2016, and 102,848 entrepreneurs for this year.

Under Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act, DTI is mandated to establish Negosyo Centers, which are tasked to assist in business registration, provide business advisory services, promote business information and advocacy, and monitor and evaluate business processes for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The government targets to establish a total of 1,700 Negosyo Centers in all cities, as well as in first- and second-class municipalities in the country.

According to Maglaya, DTI opened 452 Negosyo Centers as of end-2016.

This covers 100 percent of cities and 50 percent of first- and second-class municipalities throughout the country.

DTI eyes to launch a total of 150 Negosyo Centers this year.

Maglaya mentioned that the department has allocated PHP530 million for the establishment of Negosyo Centers for 2017.

She said DTI aims to partner with local government units (LGUs) to host Negosyo Centers.

“We’re partnering with LGUs for the next Negosyo Centers since DTI provincial offices are now saturated. Our offices in the province already have these facilities,” the DTI official said.

She added that locating Negosyo Centers in LGU offices would be strategic, as most of the requirements for opening a business are from LGUs.