DTI: Successful Program Implemented in Bohol to be Replicated in Region 7

To encourage more Filipinos especially in Central Visayas to venture into business, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will roll out the SME Roving Academy in Cebu and in other provinces in Central Visayas starting this month.

DTI Central Visayas information officer Jojie Villamor said that the DTI first introduced the Small Medium Enterprises(SME) Roving Academy in Bohol for Central Visayas in August 2013 and saw how effective it was in making people interested in starting up their own business.

“This year we are targeting to hold 98 SME Roving Academies in the region. The roving school aims to teach the participants basic business skills including marketing,” she said.

Those who are interested to join need to call or visit the DTI office in each region for the schedules and to preregister.

“We pick the venue and the schedule of the training which lasts for a day or two. This is DTI’s way to encourage more people to start their own business and eventually grow them which could generate more jobs and help the economy,” said Villamor.

The aim to encourage entrepreneurship is in line with the current government’s thrust towards inclusive growth and ensure that all Filipinos get a chance to contribute to the country’s fast-growing economy.

“There are many ways to invest. Others invest in the stock market while others who want to start small can start with a small business,” she said.

According to the DTI, in its website, the SME Roving Academy program was launched across the country starting last June.

DTI Undersecretary Zenaida C. Maglaya said in the DTI article that the agency had synchronized its introduction nationwide so that it could provide continuous learning program for the development of the SME sector and make them more competitive.

Out of those who availed of the nationwide program, 6,693 were budding entrepreneurs while 10,097 had existing businesses, said Maglaya.

The DTI has tied up with local government units, chambers, academe, finance institutions, trade and industry associations, government agencies and non-government organizations to implement this program.

For the program, the DTI encourages the interested entrepreneurs to register with the DTI Provincial Office-SME Center, where an SME counselor, with help from an expert, will diagnose the needs of each participant.