AYUNGON,  Negros Oriental, July 31 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Negros Oriental has made its services more accessible to micro-entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners in this town after it launched its 17th Negosyo Center (NC) here.

DTI Provincial Director Nimfa Virtucio and Ayungon Mayor Dennis Amancio led the launching of the said facility located near the Ayungon Municipal Gymnasium on July 27.

The launching was witnessed by representatives of the Association of Negros Oriental Public Information Officers (ANOPIO), Provincial Government of Negros Oriental, and the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI).

Pursuant to the Go Negosyo Act, DTI established NCs in every local government unit (LGU) to promote ease of doing business and assist Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in developing their businesses.

Some of the services offered in the center include facilitation of government services for entrepreneurs, business coaching, and mentoring.

Virtucio said this is the first NC in the province that is fully funded by their partner LGU.

The Ayungon municipal government provided the space and office furnishings and took charge in the printing of signages and other operating expenses. 

For their part, DTI provides funds for personnel salary for NC business counsellors and office equipment and supplies.

The partnership between DTI and the Ayungon LGU for maintaining the Negosyo Center was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

“Although January pa siya nag-start pero dili mi ka-launch kay wala siyay physical nga lugar and wala pa to MOA. Karon naa naman tanan, i-launch na nato in time of our anniversary (Although we have started rolling out our services in January, we weren’t able to formally launch by then because there is no physical space for it and the MOA is not yet ready that time. But right now, everything is already here so we pushed through with the launching in time for our anniversary),” Virtucio said referring to DTI’s 42nd anniversary,  which was also celebrated that day.

Meanwhile, Amancio expressed his support to this program, stressing its importance in boosting the MSMEs in the town.

“Para nako importante kaayo ni kay daghan kaayong oportunidad na mahatag ang inyong opisina dire sa amoang lungsod. Ang problema dire murag wala kaayong mahatagi og pagtagad ang mga gagmayng negosyante (For me, this is important because your office can provide a lot of opportunities in our town. Our concern here is that small businesses are somehow left behind),” he said. (RAL/PIA7-Negros Oriental)