Negosyo Center opens in Gensan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (7 May 2015) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) opened its first Negosyo Center in Gensan Tuesday, May 5, to further strengthen the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the city.

The Negosyo Center is a strategic hub to educate interested entrepreneurs on how to successfully run a business pursuant to the Go Negosyo Act which took effect last January.

Specifically, the Negosyo Center will be providing services such as skills training, easier access to market information, and business registration assistance for MSMEs.

Dorecita Delima, DTI 12 assistant regional director, announced that DTI has made a strong partnership with City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and the local government unit of General Santos City (LGU-GSC).

She disclosed that the LGU-GSC will detail some of its employees to the Negosyo Center to assist entrepreneurs in the business registration process.

“We do not only assist clients in their business registration; there is much more. We can assist them with the help of Mayor Rivera and his support to the Negosyo Center,” Delima said.

DTI Undersecretary of Regional Operations Group (ROG) Zenaida Maglaya, who graced the event, also emphasized that the aim of the Negosyo Center is to assist hundreds of entrepreneurs and create more jobs.

“We want to make sure that we can come up with Negosyo Center that will be open and will be continuously working to assist the entrepreneurs,” Maglaya stated.

She commended Mayor Rivera for his efforts to strengthen the business atmosphere of Gensan and cited the city as an “economic trailblazer”.

“Gensan is considered as one of the fastest developing regional trade and commercial hubs,” Maglaya said.

Maglaya cited the “2014 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index” of the National Competitiveness Council where Gensan ranked 12th in the most competitive cities and 5th in economic dynamism. This index is participated in by 136 cities all over the country.

Mayor Rivera stated that the city government will continue its thrust to develop and diversify the economy of the city.

“It is our direction in the local government to improve the economy of the city, as well as help our entrepreneurs to have more opportunity here,” Mayor Rivera said.

The Negosyo Center is now housed in the former DTI – 12 National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) office along South Osmeña Street in. 

Meanwhile, the NERBAC was transferred to the DTI – 12 Regional Office in Koronadal City.

There are already eight Negosyo Centers established in the country. These are located in Cagayan, Iloilo, Daet, Bulacan, Camarines Norte, Albay, Kalibo, and General Santos. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John Lagare)

DTI opens Negosyo Center

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (6 May 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera expresses his support to the Department of Trade and Industry for opening Tuesday, May 5, the Negosyo Center--formerly known as National Economic Research and Business Economic Center--along South Osmeña Avenue. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

City hosts regional MSME congress

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (6 May 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera welcomes more than 1,000 entrepreneurs across Region 12 as they attend the 2nd Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Regional Congress on May 5 to 6 at Phela Grande Convention Center. The congress is organized by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council in partnership with the city government, Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Labor and Employment. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

City Hall backs MSME congress

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (30 April 2015) - In a press conference at Greenleaf Hotel on April 28, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera stresses out that the local government unit of General Santos City is supporting the Small Medium Enterprises Development Council Inc. in hosting the 2nd Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) Regional Congress this coming May 5 - 6. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo

DTI gives sewing machines to women’s group

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 April 2015) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) turned over 15 units of heavy duty Juki Sewing Machines to Socsargen Peace Network Inc. Tuesday (April 21) at Barangay Fatima.

Engr. Arnel Sayco of DTI General Santos City Office facilitated the turnover ceremony of the equipment amounting to P270,000 to Fr. Angel Buenavides, organizer of the women’s group.

Sayco said this Shared Service Facility Project is in line with the Philippine Development Goal (PDG) of the national government.

One of its purposes is the inclusive growth and job generation, a goal that is also prominent with the initiatives of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera.

Sayco also mentioned productivity and efficiency as one of the four pillars of DTI’s mandate on Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) where Shared Service Facility project belongs.

The project is aimed at helping small business groups which cannot support more production due to few number of tools or equipment available.

The peace network in barangay Fatima, which belong to the small business enterprise sector, was one of the beneficiaries of DTI’s HD sewing machines for rag production.

“Mabigat ang makina, mabigat din ang challenge,” said Fr. Buenavides who organized the group for rag production three years ago.

He further stated how the group had a very good start with the rag production which continues until now.

“If you have produced rags before, you can do more with the new HD sewing machines given to you by DTI, like t-shirts, pants or anything” he added.

Father Buenavides challenged the women to never stop growing and take the opportunity to improve not only their livelihood but also their character. (Gensan CPIO/ Sharmagne Villacastin)

Women’s coop gets livelihood program

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 November 2014) - A women’s cooperative has received help from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with the Social Security System and the local government unit of General Santos City (LGU-GSC).

The RD Tuna Ventures Inc., South Sea Fishing Ventures Inc., Asia Pacific Ventures Inc. Fishermen/ Dependent Multi-Purpose Cooperative (RSAFDMPC), the name of the organization, was granted by DTI a sewing livelihood package on November 7.

Amounting to around P865,000, the grant includes 20 sewing machines (P29,000 each), three round cutting machines (P5,000 each), three steam presses (P5,000 each), three zigzagger machines (P30,650 each), three edging machines (P30,650 each), and three piping machines (55,995 each).

According to Engr. Arnel Zayco, DTI Gensan Office head, the original project cost for the machines is P980,000 but with the support from City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, the cost was reduced.

The cooperative office, located at First Road, Barangay Calumpang is composed of the 136 fishermen wives and dependents working at different fishing industries such as RD Fishing Corporation. (Gensan CPIO/Ian John M. Lagare)

DTI grants sewing machines to women’s coop for fishing industry

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (06 November 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Gensan office head Engr. Arnel Zayco inspect the newly-granted sewing machines for the RSA Women's Cooperative Thursday, November 06. These machines from DTI will be used as sources of livelihood by the cooperative as they will be supplying industrial garments to Gensan’s fishing industry. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)