Reaching out to potential clients who cannot travel to town centers due to COVID-19 related restrictions, the Provincial Offices of the Department of Trade and Industry – Cordillera Administrative Region (DTI-CAR) can now be reached through its Facebook pages through direct chat and messaging or through its interactive question and answer (Q&A) feature that provides basic information and response on commonly asked questions.
Concerns such as consumer complaint filing and queries on price monitoring of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) can be answered by browsing the Q&A at the left side of the said Facebook page. For other matters and issues that clients or netizens want to ask relative to consumer rights such as the prevailing standard retail prices (SRP) of BNPCs, netizens can further inquire by engaging in a chat or message with the page handlers.
All the DTI Provincial Offices in CAR, including the Regional Office and Negosyo Centers, have responded to numerous inquiries through social media especially at the height of the community quarantine periods when lockdowns and travel restrictions were imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Business Name Matters
Micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in areas with internet connectivity can now apply for or renew their business names online through the Business Name Registration Service (BNRS) site accessible through https://bnrs.dti.gov.ph/. Registration assistance from DTI-CAR Facebook pages may also be availed.
Once connected to the BNRS, applicants are then prompted to fill up the provided forms, agree to the given conditions, and click the blue box that prompts the next step until the transaction is over with the payment using an online mode of payment thru GCash, PayMaya, debit or credit cards. Once accomplished, the soft copy of the Business Name Certificate will then be emailed to the applicant’s email ready for printing.
Protecting the MSMEs Online
In a related development, DTI, in partnership with its other bureaus and trade partners, is also offering learning modules on how to enhance and revitalize businesses with tips on how to protect one’s brand especially with the prevalence of online marketing.
As part of the celebration of Intellectual Property Month this May 2021, the ASEAN SME Academy with the DTI Philippines offers free online courses developed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
From 10-16 May, DTI Philippines, in partnership with Shopee Philippines, will showcase another online selling as part of the National Food Fair 2021. Shopee is an online marketing portal that supports local and community-owned food businesses by showcasing them in this year’s food fair. ♦
Date of Release: 16 May 2021