This is the third part on our Road to PBEX 2016 series. Our Google+ Page will be showing all posts from this series of features.

Do you remember the time when you are trying to register your business and you've had a hard time processing papers just to make your business official? Fortunately, those days were gone, as Republic Act 10644 is signed in 2014.

What does this Act mean? The development of Negosyo Centers in the country. What makes Negosyo Centers interesting? Will it be able to help budding micro, small and medium enterprises to do business in the country easier? On this segment, we will point out five (5) things you need to know in a Negosyo Center.

Who made the Negosyo Centers possible?

The RA 10644 or "AN ACT PROMOTING JOB GENERATION AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES" (also referred to as the "Go Negosyo Act of 2013") has Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV as its sponsor, and it was filed by various house committes to the First Regular Session of the 16th Philippine Congress in December 2013.

It was then co-sponsored by majority of the Philippine Senate the following year, and was then signed by President Aquino III in July 2014. The process took around seven (7) months from the Senate to the President's table.

What are the models of the Negosyo Centers?

According to the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (which also refers itself to "Go Negosyo," its brand), the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has set four types of Negosyo Centers with different features:

• Model A: A facility ideal for provinces, cities, and first-class municipalities with 3 to 5 business counselors plus support staff. Facility includes a reception area (receiving counter, PBR kiosk, computers, lounge, and library), consultation and meeting room, working area, and a training room
• Model B: A facility ideal for second-class municipalities with 2 to 3 business counselors plus support staff. Facility includes a reception area, consultation and meeting room, and working area.
• Model C: A facility ideal for third- to fourth-class municipalities with 2 business counselors plus support staff. Facility includes reception area and 3 desks.
• Model D: A facility ideal for fifth to sixth class municipalities with 1 desk officer LGUs and the private sector are encouraged to assign personnel to support the Negosyo Centers. They are also allowed to host the facility should they have available space that is accessible to more entrepreneurs.

Does it help in making business in the Philippines better?

Where are they located?

The DTI website has a directory of Negosyo Centers around the country - in Metro Manila, there are Negosyo Centers in Manila, Mandaluyong Parañaque, Makati and Pasay cities. The DTI has just opened 155 centers all over the country, and they are planning to add 144 more, according to the Manila Bulletin. If you know an existing DTI Business Assistance Center, it must have been converted into a Negosyo Center as well.

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If you want to know more about doing business in the Philippines, come to the 7th Philippine Business & Entrepreneurs' Expo this August 26 to 28 at the SM Megatrade Hall in Mandaluyong City.

This event is organized by business event organizer Ex-Link Management & Marketing Services Corporation. For inquiries and partnerships, call telephone numbers 633-01-53, 643-3887 or email info@exlinkevents.com. Ex-Link Events is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.