Micro entrepreneurs from 21 municipalities in Cebu are targeted to benefit from a program that aims to bring government services to village-level businesses and promote inclusive growth.
The towns targeted for the Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (NSB) program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) until 2022 are the 4th and 5th-income class municipalities of Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Aloguinsan, Boljoon, Borbon, Catmon, Ginatilan, Madridejos, Malabuyoc, Moalboal, Oslob, Pilar, Poro, Ronda, Samboan, Santa Fe, Santander, Sogod, Tabuelan, and Tudela.
DTI Cebu provincial director Esperanza L. Melgar said a total of 288 barangays (villages) from these towns will benefit from the program.
The NSB program, which DTI launched on August 2 in Moalboal, will bring DTI Negosyo Centers to the barangays to provide micro businesses assistance in business registration as well as counseling and seminars, among others.
Businesses enrolled in the program may also access shared service facilities and gain access to credit.
“We really want to intensify the awareness and dissemination of DTI programs and services at the barangay level, especially for those that have not received or heard of DTI and other government programs,” said DTI Central Visayas regional director Asteria C. Caberte.
“We will provide business development services to both existing and aspiring entrepreneurs in these barangays. This may come in the form of business registration, business advisory/counseling, access to finance, seminars, trainings and mentorship, shared service facilities, product development, trade fairs, market linkage, consumer advocacy and Fair Trade Laws briefing, and other services through our DTI-Negosyo Centers,” Caberte added.
During the launching in Moalboal town, Emirich Bangus managing proprietor Emilyn Nuevo encouraged fellow entrepreneurs to “grab the big opportunity” and join DTI programs.
Nuevo is a mentee-graduate of the Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) Program, a nationwide Big Brother-Small Brother Mentorship Program for micro enterprises implemented by the DTI in partnership with the PCE-Go Negosyo and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).
She is also a graduate of the DTI-Cebu E-Commerce and Digital Marketing Mentoring Program.
“KMME totally contributed (so much) in my life in increasing my self-esteem as well as providing the complete tools in achieving my ultimate goal in scaling up my chosen field of business, which is in line with seafood,” Nuevo related.
Some 241 individuals representing 44 micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) took part in the Cebu launching of the NSB program. (Ventures Cebu)