All of the 26 existing Negosyo Centers in Central Luzon will now serve as Help Desks for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families who want to find alternative means of livelihood.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has partnered with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to implement joint programs for OFWs.
While there is a downtrend in the number of jobs in the international market, DTI is optimistic that OFWs will contribute to the local economy by investing back in the Philippines. The Negosyo Centers serving as OFW desks will facilitate the entry, registration and training of these potential entrepreneurs. Negosyo Centers provide business consultancy services, product development and cliniquing, financial information, meeting and training venue, business name registration and other services to facilitate business.
Under the partnership, OWWA will refer interested and qualified OFWs to the Negosyo Centers and enroll them in the Entrepreneur Development and Loan Program. DTI will provide the training and consultancy through its Business Counselors in the Negosyo Centers. The OFWs and their family members will be assessed, assisted and trained on the different facets of entrepreneurship such as business start-up, financing, business continuity planning, taxation and other entrepreneurial aspects.
Currently, there are more than 370 Negosyo Centers across the country where aspiring entrepreneurs can go to register their business names, ask for business consultancy and other business related services.
