Photo by Joel Custodio
Negosyo Center-Los Baños, a one-stop shop for services to support small businesses, was officially launched last September 14 at the town’s municipal hall. The event opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a program, ceremonial turnover of a PhP 3.4M cheque, and press conference.
Headed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Negosyo Centers in the country are created through Republic Act (RA) No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act. Negosyo Center-Los Baños is established in partnership with UPLB, Center for Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship (CTTE), and the Association of Laguna Food Processors (ALAFOP).
The Negosyo Centers offer start-up and existing small enterprises with services that are classified in three: business registration assistance, business advisory, and business information and advocacy.
According to DTI, in business registration, Negosyo Centers can provide details on registration documents. They can also help facilitate procedures for business name registration, business licensing, and other regulatory permits.
The municipality of Los Baños receives PhP 3.45M from DTI Region 4 for the set up and operations of Negosyo Center-Los Baños. (From L-R) Shown in the photo are the following officials: DTI Provincial Director Susan Palo, USEC Zenaida Maglaya, Sen. Bam Aquino, Mayor Ceasar Perez, Vice Gov. Karen Agapay, and DTI Regional Director Marilou Toledo. (Photo by Joel Custodio)
The Go Negosyo Act was authored by Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino who also graced the launch. Other government, DTI, and ALAFOP officials present were Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez, Vice Governor Karen Agapay, Los Baños Mayor Ceasar Perez, Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya, DTI Regional Director Marilou Toledo, DTI Asst. Regional Director Marcelina Alcantara, DTI Provincial Director Susan Palo, and ALAFOP President Clarke Nebrao.
Los Baños holds the 90th Negosyo Center in the Philippines. Palo shared that four more centers are expected to open in Laguna next year in Sta. Rosa, Calamba, San Pablo, and Sta. Cruz.
For more information, you may contact (049) 530 2818 or visit Negosyo Center-Los Baños at the Los Baños Muncipal Hall, Brgy. Timugan from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. (MRFSRolle)