SERVING THE BARANGAYS. Engiemar Tupas, senior trade and industry development specialist of Department of Trade and Industry-Negros Occidental, gives a talk before the participants of the “Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay” in Barangay Pacol, Valladolid town on Tuesday (Aug. 27, 2019). The program is being implemented based on the directive of Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez to bring the agency’s services to the countryside. (Photo courtesy of DTI-Negros Occidental)
BACOLOD CITY -- More than 500 potential and existing entrepreneurs in Negros Occidental have so far availed of the “Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay” of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Engiemar Tupas, senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, said the program is being implemented in line with the directive of Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez to bring the agency’s services to the countryside.
“The mandate really is to make our services closer to the barangays,” Tupas said on Wednesday, adding the program focuses on barangays in fourth to sixth class municipalities.
The DTI this week brought the “Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay” to Valladolid town in Barangays Ayungon and Pacol.
In Barangay Pacol alone, 111 residents availed of the agency’s services.
The DTI aims to visit a total of nine barangays located in San Enrique, Valladolid, Salvador Benedicto and Candoni, which are all fourth-class municipalities.
The goal is to reach at least 100 potential and existing entrepreneurs in every target barangay of the four identified towns.
On August 22, a total of 130 residents of Barangay Central Tabao, San Enrique benefited from the program.
Last month, services were delivered to 127 recipients in Barangay Tabao Rizal and 131 participants in Barangay Sibucao, both in San Enrique.
Tupas said next in line are the remaining four barangays, which are located in Salvador Benedicto and Candoni.
“Our target is to complete all nine barangays in October this year. We have yet to identify the four other barangays because we need to coordinate first with the local chief executives,” he added.
Part of the activity are discussions on various topics like entrepreneurship and the provisions of Go Negosyo Act.
The DTI is also inviting other agencies like the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to also present their programs and services to the people in the barangay.
For small business corporations, the DTI presents programs like the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) project.
Tupas said that after visiting the barangays, they have observed that most of the participants are not yet aware of the programs and services of government agencies, especially the DTI. (PNA)
