SME Caravan, DTI Sec Domingo arrive in Negor July 5
by Jennifer Catan-Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, June 21 (PIA) The Small Medium Enterprise (SME) Negosyo Caravan with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Gregory Domingo is set to arrive inNegros Oriental on July 5 to promote entrepreneurship in the country.
This is the first official visit of Trade chief Domingo for the nationwide SME Caravan as part of the SME Week celebration in the province, according to DTI Provincial Director Javier Fortunato.
The caravan aims to increase the awareness of SMEs on the various business development services that are provided by both government and private sector.
It also aspires to improve access of SMEs to government and private sector servicesparticularly to areas where the provision of business development services may be limited, said Fortunato.
The caravan will start with an opening program with Sec. Domingo as the keynote speakeron July 5 at 9:00 a.m. at Bethel Guest House, Dumaguete City.
Later, a series of lectures with Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) and Bureau f Small and Medium Enterprise Development, (BSMED) from Manila will be held with expertise in their respective fields of business for SMEs.
It is learned that these business experts from the national capital region will handle training and counseling sessions to promote entrepreneurship, improve access to markets, access to finance, and increase SME productivity and efficiency.
Other topics covered include Mastering Self Through Positive & Entrepreneurial Mindset & Spotting Business Opportunities, Choosing the Right Market, Product Design Development, Marketing, and Export Procedures.
On July 6, special sessions will also be conducted for the SMEs which include Product Costing and Pricing, Green Manufacturing, Data Upgrading, Packaging and Labeling for non-food, Credit Sourcing and Management to local Banks.
Negros Oriental is the 13th stop off point of the SME Negosyo Caravan of the 15 areas of the Visayas and Mindanao. (PIA NegOr/JCT)
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Shootfest held to promote responsible gun ownership
by Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, June 22 (PIA) --- Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo has recently opened the first “MagDEGAMO Shootfest” in the effort of promoting responsible gun ownership and gun safetyin the province.
The shootfest is being conducted in cooperation with the Dumaguete Shooters Association, said Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo.
Sedillo clarified that the shootfest does not mean that the governor is encouraging Negrenses to own guns. “This activity is aimed at advocating responsible gun ownership and gun safety among gun owners and not to use them to sow fear in others,” he stressed.
The shootfest will also provide a venue for local gun owners to promote shooting as a sport and not to be used in illegal activities.
The provincial government leadership is also hopeful that the shootfest will put a stop to the use of guns in illegal activities and promote the legal procurement of guns. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
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NegOr allots additional P2-M for coop surety fund
by Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, June 21 (PIA) --- The provincial government of Negros Oriental has allocated P2 million as additional funding for the Cooperative Surety Fund to boost the cooperative movement in the province.
This was announced by Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in his speech during the recent oath-taking ceremony of the new board of directors of the Negros Oriental Coopreneurs Surety Fund (NOCSF) led by its current and third-time president Atty. Gloria Futalan.
The governor's recent allocation brings to P7.4 million the total counterpart funds poured in by the provincial government for the CSF program, said Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo in a statement.
"The provincial government first alloted P3 million for the CSF program under the administration of the late Gov. Dodo Macias which was then followed by another P2.4 million when Gov. Degamo stepped in as governor," said Sedillo.
Negros Oriental joined the CSF bandwagon in 2009 when it signed an agreement with BSP to implement and provide counterpart funds for the local CSF.
CSF is a program pushed by the Central Bank of the Philippines to serve as a guarantee fund for cooperatives seeking loans with said bank.
This is in line with Banko Sentral's thrust to increase the flow of credit in the countryside while recognizing the important role played by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippine economy.
Sedillo said the governor's move to allot additional funding for the program is a testament to the provincial government's efforts to boost the local cooperative movement.
The governor also urged the CSF officials to come up with a study to determine the impact of the cooperative surety fund program on the lives of cooperative members. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)