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| The newest Negosyo Center in Central Luzon was opened in Lubao, Pampanga with Vice-Mayor Robertito Diaz (center), DTI RD Judith Angeles (5th from R), Pampanga MSMED Council President Teresa D. Carlos (3rd from R) and other officials. |
The Department of Trade and Industry Regional Office III (DTI-3) opened 34 new Negosyo Centers in the region in 2017. The number of new centers almost doubled from the 18 new Negosyo Centers opened in 2016.
Nueva Ecija and Tarlac hosted the most Negosyo Centers in the region in 2017, with seven (7) and six (6) centers respectively. Pampanga, Zambales and Bulacan launched five (5) new centers each while Bataan opened four (4) centers. The province of Aurora had three (3) new Negosyo Centers opened last year.
In Pampanga, the latest Negosyo Center opened was in the municipality of Lubao, Pampanga. The Lubao Negosyo Center was launched on December 29, 2017 as the 11th Negosyo Center in the province and the 64th in Central Luzon. DTI Regional Director Judith P. Angeles and Lubao Vice Mayor Robertito Diaz led the opening ceremonies for the Lubao Nego Center.
The Negosyo Centers were established by virtue of RA 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act which was enacted in 2014. Senator Bam Aquino is the primary author of the said law. The Go Negosyo Act provides that Negosyo Centers should be established in each of the local government units in the country. The centers provide business advisory services, business information services, serve as OFW Assistance Desk, venue for SME Roving Academy capability building sessions, and application centers for Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs).
Under the law, Negosyo Centers shall be established under a partnership by DTI with local government units, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Councils and private stakeholders.♦