True to its commitment to ease doing business and help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the Department of Trade and Industry Region 1 (DTI-R1), through its provincial office in Pangasinan, inaugurated the Negosyo Center (NC)-Balungao on 9 June 2021.
The NC Balungao is a model B facility that has a reception area, consultation, and meeting room. It is strategically located at the center of trade and industry of the municipality, near the public market. The launching program was graced by Regional Director Grace Falgui-Baluyan, Assistant Regional Director Daria R. Mingaracal, Provincial Director Natalia Dalaten, Local Government Unit (LGU) of Balungao Mayor Riza Peralta, Vice Mayor Philipp Peralta, and Pangasinan Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) Council Chairperson Howie Chua-Cham.
The enactment of Republic Act No. 10644, also known as the Go Negosyo Act, fortified the policy of the State to foster national development, promote inclusive growth, and reduce poverty by encouraging the development of MSMEs. This law provides for the establishment of NCs under the supervision of the MSME Development Council, which shall encourage public-private partnerships in the establishment and management of said centers.
In her message, Dir. Baluyan reiterated that one of the goals of the NC is to bring the government services closer to the people. “The establishment of NC will encourage more enterprises to register or scale up their businesses. As we create more businesses, there will be more employment opportunities for the people in the community,” she added.
As the core of DTI’s thrust towards promoting MSME growth and development, NCs will be established in every province, city, and municipality nationwide. To date, there are already 1,188 Negosyo Centers nationwide. Sixty-five (65) of which are in Region 1. A total of 17 additional NCs are targeted to launch in the region for this year.
The NCs provide the following basic services: business registration assistance; business advisory services; business information and advocacy; and monitoring and evaluation of business process improvement.
