THE year 2015 was remarkable for the Department of Trade and Industry-Regional Operations Group (DTI-ROG) even as it vowed to step up its efforts in 2016 for the betterment of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.
“We are proud to inform the public that the ROG in 2015 worked with tireless enthusiasm with various partner agencies to support the growth of MSMEs in the country,” ROG Supervising Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said.
She cited the establishment of the ever-increasing number of launched Negosyo Centers, establishment of shared service facilities and implementation of bottom-up budgeting (BuB) projects.
Maglaya stressed that these initiatives of focusing on MSMEs will eventually result to more entrepreneurs, employment and inclusive growth, adding that the Regional Operations Group would continue fostering partnership between MSMEs, development partners, and the government.
As of end-2015, a total of 144 Negosyo Centers have been launched, exceeding the department’s target of 100 centers for 2015.
“The Centers are geared toward promoting the ease of doing business, facilitating access to services for (MSMEs) including business registration assistance, business advisory services, business information and advocacy as well as access to market linkages,” Maglaya said.
To reach the grassroots level, more shared service facilities have been established with a total of 1,434 SSFs, which already generated 46,573 employment since its launch in 2013.