Republic Act 10644

Sen. Bam Committed to Supporting MSMEs in Zamboanga

Zamboanga City – Senator Bam Aquino visited Zamboanga City last Thursday to launch the 4th Negosyo Center in the region and the 73rd in the country.

“We’re proud to have this center up in Zamboanga City. Alam po natin na napakaganda ng potensyal dito,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

Sen. Bam is the main author of Republic Act 10644, or the Go Negosyo Act, which mandates the creation of Negosyo Centers in all provinces, cities and municipalities in the country.

It is the Senator’s advocacy to achieve inclusive growth through enabling and empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“For our MSMEs, it’s not about protection but about competition. It is about enabling them and giving them the support so they can compete in larger markets,” said the neophyte Senator, “How can they compete? They can compete kung meron silang puhunan, kaalaman, at access sa malalaking merkado.”

It is the objective of the newly inaugurated Negosyo Center, located at the DTI provincial office along Veteran’s Avenue, to provide access to bigger markets and financing for businesses while simplifying the business registration process.

As for the major challenge faced by Zamboanga’s entrepreneurs, the Senator hopes to work closely with the local government unit to look into the energy crisis.

“Kung walang kuryente, walang negosyo so I know how important it is,” he said, “We need to take a closer look at it. We will work with Mayor Beng Climaco and Chairman Chris Arnuco to figure out how to handle this better.”

Overall, Sen. Bam believes that spurring a thriving MSME sector is the key to spreading the economic surge the country is experiencing.

“We want to see our MSME succeed because if they are successful, they provide jobs, the local economy will grow, and we create value of our countrymen,” he said, “We’re hoping that through this center, we can provide tangible support to our MSMEs.”

First Negosyo Center Launched in Cagayan de Oro

It’s all systems go for the Go Negosyo Act with the launching of the country’s first-ever Negosyo Center today (Thursday) in Cagayan de Oro City.

“The opening of the first Negosyo Center in the country eases the doing of business in the city, as it will help fast-track government processes in putting up a business,” said Senator Bam Aquino, author of Republic Act 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act.

“The Negosyo Center will boost the development of micro, small and medium enterprises, creating jobs and livelihood in the community,” the senator added.

Aquino said the Cagayan de Oro Negosyo Center will be the first of many, as RA 10644 mandates the creation of such in all provinces, cities, and municipalities in the country.

“We are closely working with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to establish more Negosyo Centers all over the country,” Aquino said.

Aquino said Negosyo Centers will provide a unified and simplified business registration process, making it easier for entrepreneurs to register and start up their businesses, as well as gain access to sources of financing.

“By making business registration simpler and more efficient, we hope to encourage more Filipinos to start their own small businesses to stimulate the local economy,” Aquino added.

In addition, the Negosyo Centers will provide courses and development programs, training, advice on business conceptualization and feasibility, financing, management, capability building, human resources, marketing and other support services.

“We call on the businessmen and entrerpreneurs of Cagayan de Oro to engage with the Negosyo Center and give feedback on its operations so we can continuously improve its services to the public, as we replicate it nationwide,” Aquino added.

The DTI provincial office at the ground floor of Antolin Building in Cagayan de Oro City will house the first Negosyo Center in the country.

Aquino will attend the launch together with invited local officials, Cagayan de Oro City Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas, Misamis Oriental 1stDistrict Rep. Peter Unabia and Governor Vicente Emano.

Also attending the event are DTI undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya, DTI Misamis Oriental provincial director Eliza Pabillore, assistant director Jerry Clavecillas of the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprises Development and assistant regional director Linda Boniao of DTI Region 10.

The DTI will also sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with several industry partners to provide technology enablement and coaching sessions for MSMEs.

FDA Circular to Boost Small Food and Cosmetics Businesses– Sen. Bam

The release of Food and Drugs Administration’s simplified rules and regulations will make it easier for cosmetics micro enterprises to legitimize their status and enter the formal economy, according to Senator Bam Aquino.

“Micro entrepreneurs are having a difficult time expanding because they have no appropriate FDA approval that will vouch for the safety of their products,” said Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

With the release of FDA Circular No. 2014-024, the senator said small businesses can now enter the formal market, giving them a better chance of expanding their business.

The FDA circular makes it simpler and easier for micro enterprises to apply for license to operate (LTO) and market authorization for their products, in accordance in with the recently passed Republic Act 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act.

“With the new and simplified process of FDA registration, our small businesses will be able to expand and grow,” Aquino said.

The Go Negosyo Act mandates the creation of Negosyo Centers, under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in each city and municipality around the country that will make it easier for entrepreneurs to register and start up their businesses, as well as gain access to sources of financing.

In addition, the Negosyo Centers will provide courses and development programs, training, advice on business conceptualization and feasibility, financing, management, capability building, human resources, marketing and other support services.

The FDA circular said the process of application and approval are made simple and compatible with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and local government units,

In addition, the circular will be consistent with the objectives of the Go Negosyo Act, Magna Carta for MSMEs and the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises Act of 2002.

The circular will apply to all micro enterprises engaged in the manufacture and distribution-wholesale of cosmetic products such as fragrance and toiler or bath soap as well as laundry and dishwashing soap bars, and other related products.

Micro enterprises involved in the manufacturing of processed food products are also covered by the circular.

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