Ilocos Norte: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday turned over to the provincial government of Ilocos Norte a PHP3.5 million shared service facility (SSF) to empower more entrepreneurs in the province. "The shared service facility is geared towards developing the skills of micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) where they can access these equipment while enjoining them to attend entrepreneurial and managerial trainings, including mentorship to increase their productivity and enhance competitiveness," Amelia Galvez, director of DTI-Ilocos Norte, said in an interview.
According to Philippines News Agency, the equipment includes computers, training desks, workstations, sound systems, a drone, exhibit materials, and mirrorless cameras. These items have become more accessible to business startups and homegrown entrepreneurs in Ilocos Norte through the expansion of the first one-stop shop and co-working space located at the La Tabacalera Building just across the provincial capitol.
The SSF is a DTI program that provides MSMEs with access to technology, equipment, and other resources they can use on a shared basis to improve productivity and efficiency. Galvez said the first SSF collaboration of the DTI and the Ilocos Norte government is one of a kind as it is designed as a co-working space for business aspirants to grow and strive to innovate and expand for inclusive growth. "This is an expansion of the Ilocos Norte business incubation center of the provincial government," she said.
To facilitate the turnover of the SSF, a two-year usufruct agreement between officials of the DTI and the provincial government was signed on Wednesday. As stated in the agreement, the SSF will be officially given to the Ilocos Norte government for two years provided the facility has made an impact on the target beneficiaries, which can be measured by at least a 10 percent increase in sales or the number of beneficiaries assisted.
During the ceremonial turnover, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc urged innovators and professional practitioners in the creative industries in the province, including students, to take advantage of the expanded services of the incubation center. As one of Manotoc's initiatives, the province's first business incubation center was established in 2022 to cater to the needs of budding entrepreneurs. The center also works as a one-stop shop with partner institutions, such as DTI, Mariano Marcos State University, Department of Science and Technology, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Department of Information and Communications Technology for product conceptualization, development, packaging, promotion, and marketing, including funding assistance if needed.
