LAGAWE, Ifugao– The government is encouraging the people to engage in small enterprises in rural areas, as a means to further curb the nation’s poverty incidence rate.
That’s why Negosyo Centers are fast becoming must-have projects of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in underdeveloped provinces like Ifugao.
This development paved the way for the opening recently of the Negosyo Center in Kiangan town. It is situated at the second floor of the OTOP building at the municipal hall compound of this predominantly farming town.
“There is a lot of interest in engaging in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) because of their contribution to the economy. It would appear therefore that the opening of the Negosyo Center in Kiangan is a step in the right direction,” said Mayor Joselito Guyguyon.
The latest DTI-Ifugao office data showed that there are also Negosyo Centers in Alfonso Lista, Banaue and Lagawe towns.
On the other hand, DTI Ifugao provincial director Valentin Baguidudol vowed to prioritize interconnecting the Negosyo Center outlets with the people’s emerging business needs.
Describing the current government’s thrust on Negosyo Centers, Baguidudol said: “These centers have assumed far greater importance now than in any other period of time.”
In an exclusive interview with the ZigZag Weekly, Baguidudol also motioned that with the innovative initiatives of the Duterte administration in the economic front, “hopefully, more noteworthy projects will be pursued that will create jobs and consequently help address the country’s poverty problem.”
According to Councilor Gemma Dimog, the promotion of SMEs in Kiangan is a major agenda of the municipal government.
“It’s time to look for opportunities to drive synergies between the Negosyo Center proponents and entrepreneurs that can complement or augment the strength of the local economy,” she said.
Beyond the general points of agreement always noted in so far as local officials’ pronouncements of all-out support for SMEs in their localities, attitude toward a greater goal appear to emerge quite sharply. It is clear that micro-small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) should be given wider access to the global market. This is why educating Ifugao entrepreneurs the meaning of the integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) into a single economic community is so important. Through the years, there was no significant advancement of SMEs in the province. Many of them have stressed faith in old, crude and backward business practices.
Much has been made of the seemingly differential views of the old and young on business theories and concepts.
Perhaps more significant, is the fact that many of these SMEs oddly operate at most times. For instance, SMEs in the capital town of Lagawe are open only up to 6:30 in the evening. Perhaps, a strong impediment- although admittedly, it is difficult to understand- was this element of fear of venturing out of their comfort zone. Businesses are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays when people have ample time to go out and buy their groceries. Clearly, it’s time for these establishments to level up.
Emboldened by his sincere desire to provide livelihood and a better future for the Filipino people, Senator Bam Aquino dreamed of establishing a chain of premier Negosyo Centers throughout the Philippines.
It’s very good to have Mayor Guyguyon, Director Baguidudol and Councilor Dimog exuding immeasurable capacity to spread energy and wisdom among Kiangan’s entrepreneurs. For their part, business owners should face the challenges ahead.
The Philippines is widely regarded as a hub of SMEs. These enterprises have a strong foot-hold in the country’s over 40,000 villages.
Meanwhile, concerned residents continue to urge Governor Pedro Mayam-o to provide sufficient support to SMEs to have a fighting chance of alleviating the province’s mounting poverty incidence. **By Anthony A. Araos
