Thousands of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Negros Oriental will benefit from the Negosyo Center Services Caravan, which provides government services and a venue for interaction with relevant agencies.

The caravan reeled off last week and is ongoing until next month to cover all local government units (LGUs) with established Negosyo Centers, Krystle Jade Bato, information officer of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the province, said Wednesday.

“We are undertaking this together with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and LGUs to provide businesses with services and updates on the Fair Trade law, taxation, business registration, and other concerns,” Bato told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.

She said many entrepreneurs are not tech-savvy, hence they have to learn the use of digital tools and online platforms for ease of doing business to keep up with the competitive market.

Entrepreneurs also have to be well-informed about occupational hazards and safety in the workplace, Bato added.

Discussion topics during the caravan include digitalization of business registration, educating businessmen on fair trade laws, advocacy on compliance with General Labor Standards and Occupational Health and Safety Standards, taxation support and local government services support to MSMEs.

The information dissemination caravan has already visited Tanjay City and the towns of Amlan, Pamplona and Mabinay.

Bato said 14 LGUs in Negros Oriental have existing Negosyo Centers, including the province’s six cities, which will also be visited by the caravan, a one-stop shop made accessible for small businesses.

DTI data show that Negros Oriental has almost 11,000 MSMEs, whether sole proprietorship or otherwise, she added. (PNA)