The Davao del Sur Provincial Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Development Council, through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional and Provincial Offices, launched the first ever academe-based Negosyo Center in the country located within the Main Campus of Cor Jesu College in Digos City, Davao del Sur on July 9, 2015.
The activity was graced by no less than the Senator of the Republic of the Philippines, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, the author of the Republic Act (RA) 10644 or the “Go Negosyo Act”.
The launching ceremony started with the blessing of the Negosyo Center by Reverend Father Jude Tampon, the Parish Administrator of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace Cathedral of the Diocese of Digos. It was followed by the Cutting of Ribbon led by Senator Bam Aquino and the City Mayor of Digos Atty. Joseph Peñas, CPA, with the President of Cor Jesu College Br. Ellakim P. Sosmeña, S.C., SP Member Atty. Lani Gabutero, who represented the Governor of Davao del Sur Claude Bautista, OIC-Regional Director, DTI-XI Maria Belenda Ambi and OIC-Provincial Director, DTI-Davao del Sur Eulogio Orevillo.
“The Negosyo Center promotes job generation and inclusive growth through the development of micro, small and medium enterprises and promotes ease of doing business and facilitating access to services for MSMEs within its jurisdiction by providing assistance to MSMEs in the availment of technology transfer, production and management training programs and marketing assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology, UP ISSI, Cooperative Development Authority, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and other agencies concerned,” said Senator Aquino.
Furthermore, he said that “a unified and simplified business registration shall also be developed and made available in all Negosyo Centers. The law guarantees fast approval of business registrations through the automatic approval of business permits and licenses that are not approved for any reason within fifteen (15) days; a Philippine Business Registry Databank shall also be established under DTI to serve as a repository of information of all business enterprises in the Philippines; and a Startup Fund for MSMEs shall also be established to provide financing for the development and promotion of MSMEs in priority sectors of the economy as specified in the MSMED [MSME Development] Plan”.
Br. Sosmeña highlighted in his welcome message “the opportunity that the Negosyo will bring to the academic community of Cor Jesu College (CJC) especially in the area of research.” He also made mention that he was grateful to the DTI-Davao del Sur for choosing CJC as its partner in the implementation of RA 10644.
This Go Negosyo Act was signed into law by the President of the Republic of the Philippines Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III on July 15, 2014.
