The first Negosyo Center in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has been inaugurated in Marawi City, giving entrepreneurs in the city and nearby areas a reliable ally in helping them start and develop their business.

“Ngayong mayroon na tayong Negosyo Center sa Marawi City, inaasahan na natin ang paglago ng negosyo sa siyudad at sa mga kalapit pang bayan,” said Sen. Bam, who led the inauguration together with DTI and local officials, headed by Lanao del Sur vice governor Bombit Adiong.

The Marawi City Negosyo Center is the 508th Negosyo Center established since the passage of Republic Act No. 10644 in 2014. It is located at TLDC Building, Lanao People’s Park in Marawi City.

“Matagal na naming tinatrabaho ito with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) kaya natutuwa tayong ito’y naging isa nang katuparan,” added Sen. Bam, principal author and sponsor of the Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act in the Senate. It was the first of 17 laws passed by Sen. Bam in the 16th Congress.

Vice governor Adiong expects the Negosyo Center will help local products flourish, not just in nearby markets, but also in the national stage.

Local officials and the military said the Negosyo Center can also boost local economy, which will ultimately pave way for peace in the area.

Before attending the Marawi City Negosyo Center inauguration, Sen. Bam visited the Negosyo Center situated at the MSU Iligan Institute of Technology.

During his visit, Sen. Bam witnessed how the Negosyo Center’s digital fabrication laboratory or FabLab helps entrepreneurs in creating designs for their products. Sen. Bam also interacted with Iligan City entrepreneurs, who are regular clients of the Negosyo Center.

“Ito pong pag-iikot natin ay upang matiyak na nabibigyan ng Negosyo Center ng karampatang serbisyo at tulong ang mga maliliit na negosyante sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa,” said Sen. Bam.

The Go Negosyo Act mandates the establishment of Negosyo Centers in all municipalities, cities and provinces that will assist micro, small and medium enterprises in the country.

The Negosyo Center will provide access to markets and financing for businesses, training programs, and a simplified business registration process, thus helping ease of doing business and fast-track government processes in putting up a business.