Negosyo Center Café: A key to a more bountiful Dumingag

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (April 24, 2017) - Bringing the DTI and other government services closer to the people, the DTI-Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Office led by Provincial Director Maria Socorro M. Atay, together with partner agencies representatives Ms. Fronnie Dalid of TESDA, Provincial Director Ebenezer Tulog of DOST, Regional Governor of the Phil. Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Western Mindanao Ms. Mercedes Lourdes Quisumbing and the local government unit of Dumingag headed by Mayor Mark V. Pacalioga launched the 6^th LGU-based Negosyo Center (NC) on April 21 which brings the total to seven (7), one being lodged at the DTI-ZDS compound for Pagadian City.

DTI Provincial Director Maria Socorro M. Atay disclosed that by virtue of Republic Act No. 10644 otherwise known as the Go Negosyo Act of 2015, the DTI was mandated to establish Negosyo Centers in all cities and municipalities throughout the country to promote job generation and inclusive growth through empowerment of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). NCs are meant to make it easier for entrepreneurs to register and start up their businesses, as well as gain access to sources of financing through linkages from financial institutions. In addition, the Negosyo Centers will provide courses and development programs, such as training on business conceptualization and feasibility, financing, management, capability building, human resources, marketing and others.

In her speech at the launching, PD Atay reiterated the significance of having the Negosyo Center in the  municipalities as the NC not only serves as a hub for entrepreneurs to register their businesses but it also serves as a display area for their respective products. In addition, the NC will also be used to conduct seminars and trainings to MSMEs which will not be limited to entrepreneurship but also consumer education and other advocacies. She also stressed that the NC will not be limited for DTI and LGU use but for all government agencies concerned with the promotion and development of MSMEs.

With a warm smile, Dumingag Mayor Pacalioga in his acceptance speech said that the Negosyo Center will be a huge boost in the business and industry sector of Dumingag adding to their existing Organic Trading Center which mostly caters the locally produced products of their constituents.

Further, the mayor said that the Dumingag Negosyo Center will not be a typical NC, as it will continue their existing organic café thus making it a “Negosyo Center Café”.

He also envisioned the development that the NC would bring not only to the entrepreneurs but also to ordinary residents of Dumingag in the following days which according to him, for sure will not be a little thing.

Lastly, the young mayor hoped that the government agencies such as the DTI and partners would continue to support them in the endeavor to which the agency heads readily affirmed.