Villar SIPAG partners with DTI to open Negosyo Center in Las Pinas

Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Las Pinas Chapter to open a Negosyo Center at Villar SIPAG Compound in Las Pinas.

Sen. Cynthia Villar, Villar SIPAG director, said the presence of Negosyo Center in the city will further spur the growth of entrepreneurship and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

"Mas marami na sigurado ang mae-engganyo mag-negosyo kapag nakita nila na streamlined at simplified na ang mga procedures. Halos lahat pwede na nila i-transact at i-process sa Negosyo Center--such as business registration assistance, business advisory services, business information and advocacy, and MSMEs monitoring and evaluation," Villar said.

"And of course, kapag mas maraming negosyante mas marami ang mga trabaho ang maki-create para sa ating mga kababayan. At mas maraming Pilipino ang aasenso at aangat mula sa kahirapan," she added.

Villar, one of the authors of Republic Act 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act, added that with its strategic position as a major urban center in Metro Manila and as a gateway to the industrialized south, Las Piñas over the decades, has attracted many MSMEs and has been a good breeding ground for a significant number of entrepreneurs.

"Malaki rin ang maitutulong ng mga Negosyo Centers sa paghahanda sa implementasyon ng ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) integration na nag-umpisa na December last year. The growth and development of MSMEs will also play a crucial role in the regional economic integration under AEC. Especially since here in our country, nearly 99 percent of businesses are MSMEs, which provide over 65 percent of employment to our countrymen," Villar said.

As mandated by the Go Negosyo Act, Negosyo Centers will be responsible for promoting ease of doing business and facilitating access to services for MSME within its jurisdiction. Among its functions include: Business Registration Assistance; Business Advisory Services; Business Information and Advocacy; and MSMEs Monitoring and Evaluation.

Also present during the formal opening of the Negosyo Center were Sen. Bam Aquino, DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez, DTI NCRO Dir. Emma Asusano, and Diwa Party List Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar.