REGION 12

PUBLISHED BY THE NEGOSYO CENTER REGION 12 August- December 2017 VOLUME No. 1 ISSUE No. 2

DTI 12 Successfully Completes the Launching

of A ll N eg o sy o C e nte r s in the Re g i o n

As of November 22, 2017,

DTI 12 has successfully
completed the launching of 1 Cotabato
all Negosyo Centers (NCs) City
in the region, totaling to
52 Negosyo Centers, as
follows: South Cotabato
- 12; North Cotabato 12 Sultan Kudarat
- 18; Sultan Kudarat -
12; General Santos City
- 1; Sarangani - 8; and,
Cotabato City - 1. Based
on location, 44 centers
are based in the Local
Government Units (LGUs);
4 in DTI offices; and, 1 in
the academe.
Categorized according
to model types, there are
more model C Negosyo
Centers -- 37 out of the 52
NCs -- compared to the
total number of model A
Negosyo Centers at 15.
These NCs are located in
two cities - General Santos
City and Cotabato City,
and four provinces - North
Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat,
52 Columbio, and Lebak.
18 North Cotabato
Negosyo For South Cotabato, 12
Centers Negosyo Centers were
opened. Two in Koronadal
City (at the Local
Government Unit and at
the Notre Dame of Marbel
University), and one each
in the municipalities
8 Sarangani of Surallah, Sto. Niño,
12 South Cotabato Tantangan, Tupi, Norala,
Province
Banga, T’boli, Polomolok,
1 General Santos Tampakan, and Lake Sebu.
City
In Sarangani, 8 Negosyo
Centers were launched,
two in Alabel (at the Local
Government Unit and at
South Cotabato and President Roxas, Banisilan, the Provincial Government
Sarangani. Libungan, Pikit, Mlang, Office), and one each
and Midsayap. in the municipalities
For North Cotabato, In Sultan Kudarat, the of Malapatan, Maitum,
the 18 Negosyo Centers 12 NCs are located in Maasim, Glan, Malungon,
launched were in the city the city of Tacurong, and and Kiamba.
of Kidapawan, and in the in the municipalities of
municipalities of Matalam, Isulan, President Quirino, Region 12 is one of the
Makilala, Kabacan, Lambayong, Bagumbayan, first regions in the country
Aleosan, Tulunan, Antipas, Esperanza, Lutayan, which was able to launch
Alamada, Pigcawayan, Palimbang, Sen. Ninoy NCs in all of its cities and
Carmen, Arakan, Magpet, Aquino (SNA), Kalamansig, municipalities.

05 6-7 8-10 12-15

Negosyo Center NC R12’s Suc- Trabaho Success
Region 12 cessful promo- Negosyo Stories
Statistics tional video Kabuhayan
REGIONAL NEWS AND UPDATES

Negosyo Center R12 issues 502 BMBE

Certificates to Micro Businesses
From January 01 - November
30, 2017, a total of 502 Barangay
Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE)
Certificates were issued by the Negosyo
Center Region 12 to local micro
businesses in the region. Among the
DTI 12’s Field offices, South Cotabato
has the most number of BMBE
Certificates with 130 BMBEs issued as
of 30th of November 2017.
The BMBE certificates issued
are broken down as follows: South
Cotabato - 130; Sultan Kudarat -
115; General Santos City - 97; North
Cotabato - 89; Cotabato City - 60; and,
Sarangani - 11.
This is in line with Republic
Act #9178 or the Barangay Micro
Business Enterprise Law which aims
to help informal businesses avail of
government incentives. Micro and
small enterprises with assets of not
more than Php 3, 000, 000.00 can now
register as a BMBE in the Negosyo
Center nearest them.
Registered BMBEs will be able
to avail of the following: (1) income tax
exemption from income arising from
the business operations; (2) exemption
from the coverage of the Minimim
Wage Law; (3) Priority to a special
credit window set up specifically
for the financing requirements of
BMBEs; and, (4) technology transfer,
production and management training,
and marketing assistance programs.
In addition to these incentives, LGUs
are encouraged to either reduce the
amount for, or exempt BMBEs from
local taxes, fees, and other charges.

Loans Availed by MSMEs Thru the Facilitation

of the Negosyo Center R12 Nears Php 100M

From January - 302.00; Cotabato City - Php 5, On the other hand,

December 15, 2017, a total of 1,
579 micro, small and medium
enterprises were able to avail of
loans from different financing
institution (FIs) amounting to
Php 99, 911, 947.00 through
the facilitation and assistance
of the DTI’s Negosyo Centers.
The said loan amount
were facilitated by the DTI’s
Negosyo Centers, broken
down as follows: General
Santos City - Php 15, 210,
140, 000.00 ; Sarangani - Php the number of Access-to-
11,290,001.00; Sultan Kudarat Finance (A2F) related services
- Php 11,479,000.00; South rendered to MSMEs reached
Cotabato - Php 3,992,000.00 910.
; and North Cotabato - Php The number of loan
52,800,643.00. North Cotabato applications endorsed to
has the highest number of partner FIs/GFIs totaled to
loan applications which were 1,979.
approved by FIs amounting
to almost Php 53Million thru The financial
the assistance and facilitation institutions which granted
of the DTI Negosyo Centers in loans to MSMEs were the
North Cotabato province. following:

• Palm Tree Bank-Cotabato City
• OWWA-ARMM
• Land Bank of the Philippines
• Mediatrix Multi-purpose
Cooperative (P3 Conduit partner)
• Rizal Microbank (Thriftbank of
RCBC)
• Fuse Lending (Microfinancing of
Globe)
• BPI Bangko (Subsidiary of BPI)
• SBGFC
• MSU IIT COOP
• Development Bank of the
Philippines
• SB Corporation
• Malapatan Multi-Purpose
Cooperative (P3 conduit partner)
• Sta. Cruz Multi-Purpose
Cooperative (P3 conduit partner)
• Agdao Multi-Purpose
Cooperative
• Radiowealth Finance
Corporation
• STA. CRUZ COOPERATIVE (P3
conduit partner)
• Rural Bank of Lebak
• One Puhunan

2 NEGOSYO CENTER • Region 12

 REGIONAL NEWS AND UPDATES

145 Total Micro-Entrepreneur Graduates

of the Kapatid Mentor Me Program in Region 12

A total of 68 micro-entrepreneurs
from the region successfully
finished the Kapatid Mentor ME
Program, which is a joint program
of the DTI and the Philippine
Center for Entrepreneurship-Go
Negosyo. Previously, 15 local micro
entrepreneurs (mEs) graduated in
2016 while another 62 mEs graduated
on the first half of 2017, posting a
total of 145 KMME graduates for
Region 12.
Out of the 23 mentees of the joint
KMME program of Cotabato City
and Cotabato province, 19 mSEs
graduated from the KMME program.
On the other hand, all of the 23
mentees of South Cotabato and the 26
mentees of Sultan Kudarat graduated
free. “KMME graduates will also be and large-scale businesses. “This
from the aforementioned program,
prioritized by the financing arm of program is in line with Pres. Rodrigo
with Sultan Kudarat posing the
DTI, the Small Business Corporation, R. Duterte’s target to reduce poverty
highest number of KMME graduates.
which will have a special lane for them incidence by 25 percent in the next
Graced by no less than ROG
under its P3 Program,” Lantayona three years”.
ASec. Blesila A. Lantayona and RD
said. “More
Ibrahim K. Guiamadel, the graduation
than 25
ceremonies were conducted in the
percent of
following areas: Cotabato City (Sept.
startups fail
26), South Cotabato (Oct. 12), and
in their first
Sultan Kudarat (Oct. 13). Also in
five years... You are very lucky since
attendance were PCE-Go Negosyo
you came in at the right time… Right
mentor Paulo Tibig, PCE-Go Negosyo
now, the government has been very
Adviser on MSE Development and
generous, making available to you
former DTI USec. Merly M. Cruz, PD
all the programs that you need such
Flora P. Gabunales, OIC-PD Ms.
as the Kapatid Mentor ME program,
Hazel E. Hautea, and OIC-PD Carlito
OTOP NextGen, Shared Service
E. Nuñez.
Facilities (SSF), Branding Equity and
“The objective of the KMME
Development Program, etc.,” she said.
program is to help micro and small
She added that the mentees should
enterprises to scale up in business,” said
maximize their network, utilize
ASec. Lantayona. “Through KMME,
“Even after the program, the digital technologies, and set their eyes
these entrepreneurs underwent a
mentees will still have access to their on the Asian market.
crash course which is equivalent to a
mentors, and will be consistently Sharing how KMME has
Master’s Degree Program in Business
monitored to track their progress,” helped his business, Jose Ernesto
in reputed international schools,” she
Lantayona further said. The mentee M. Espinosa, owner of Crafts, Arts,
said.
graduates will also be included in and Trinkets, said: “I’m thankful to
She also announced that DTI has
other DTI programs and services, DTI and PCE-Go Negosyo for this
inked partnerships with Citymall,
thus the phrase, “may forever sa DTI.” program. I can proudly say that I was
SM, and other leading department
For her part, Engr. Cruz said that able to finish this MBA-like course.
stores nationwide for them to
micro entrepreneurs are given the We are truly blessed to be part of this
provide a space for MSMEs in their
chance to grow into small, medium program.”
malls to showcase their products for

NEGOSYO CENTER • Region 12 3

REGIONAL NEWS AND UPDATES

Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan

NC R12 Holds Free Negosyo Counseling, Business and Job
Fair, and OFW Business Planning Workshop

“Serbisyong Higit Trade Hall 1 and Atrium, which

Pa Sa Inaasahan”
In line with the conduct of
the Treasures of Region 12 Trade
Fair, the DTI-Negosyo Center R12
provided free counselling sessions
during the conduct of the Trabaho,
Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) Jobs
and Business Fairs on November
13, and the Business Planning
Workshop for OFWs on November
15 both held at the SM-Gensan
Trade Hall 1, General Santos City.
The said activities were conducted in
partnership with the Department of
Labor and Employment,
Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration,
Technical Education
Skills Development
Authority, and other
national government
agencies.
was manned by 11 R12 Business
Counsellors. The counsellors
gave free business counseling and
assistance to a total of 19 clients
during the TNK. Most queries of
the clients were about setting up a
business and access to finance.
The TNK Jobs and Business
Fair this December was its 3rd and
last roll-out for this year. The first
and second TNK roll-out were
the TNK Caravan for the Labor
Day Celebration held on May 01
at KCC Mall-Gensan Convention
Hall, and the Kalayaan TNK for
the Philippine Independence Day
Celebration held last June 12 at
SM-Gensan Trade Hall 1, General
Santos City.
For the Jobs Fair, a total of
163 job applicants converged for
the Job Fairs wherein 45 companies
were hiring.
During the TNK,
information services were provided
by the following NGAs: the
Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA), Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration
(OWWA), Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC), National
Conciliation and Mediation
Board, Technical Education and

Trabaho, Negosyo,
Kabuhayan Jobs and
Business Fairs

During the TNK

Jobs and Business Fair,
a Negosyo Center Desk
was put up in the SM

4 NEGOSYO CENTER • Region 12


Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), National Labor Relations
Commission (NLRC), Regional
Tripartite Wages and Productivity
Board (RTWPB), Social Security
System, Philhealth, and Pag-ibig
Home Development Fund.
OWWA Entrepreneurship Seminar
and Business Planning Workshop
DTI 12 in partnership
with the Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration (OWWA)
conducted an Entrepreneurship
Seminar and Business Planning
Workshop wherein more than
200 Overseas Filipino Workers
attended.
On Entrepreneurial Mind-
setting held on November 14,
speaker Mr. Jose Luis Liongson
stressed the importance of having
the proper entrepreneurial
mindset, which is a crucial factor to
NEGOSYO CENTER • Region 12
succeeding in business.
On the following day,
November 15, a Business Planning
Workshop was held for the more
than 200 OFWs. Prior to the
workshop, Mr. Juno Hontanosas
gave a walk-through guide on how
to make a Business Plan.
Treasures of Region 12 Trade Fair
The Treasures of Region
12 Trade Fair was officially opened
on Nov. 15, which showcased
the different products of local
MSMEs. A total of 78 exhibitors
(21-Crafts; 57-Food) set up 50
booths, showcasing their high-
quality products. The MSME
exhibitors were selected by the
DTI-12 Provincial Offices, broken
down as follows: South Cotabato
- 18; Sultan Kudarat - 9; North
Cotabato - 19; Sarangani province
- 11; Cotabato City - 6; and
REGIONAL NEWS AND UPDATES
General Santos City - 16.
The 7-day Trade Fair
generated a total sales of Php 22,
382, 233, in particular: Cash Sales
amounting to Php 2, 103, 181;
Booked Sales - Php 13, 887, 800,
and Under Negotiation Sales - Php
6, 391, 252.
The TNK exhibitors
include the following MSMEs:
GFA Marketing, Ryle’s Enterprises,
Pogans Food Products, Velasco Arts
and Souvenirs, Cotabato Brasswares
Association, United Maligang
Multipurpose Cooperative, KERA
Cafe, and Kayamanan ni Juan.
At the same time, the
Consumer Protection Division
of the DTI-12 Regional Office set
up a S.U.P.E.R Consumer Booth
during the entire trade fair. This
initative encourages consumers
to act in a SUPER (Sustained,
Upbeat, Protected, Empowered,
Responsible) way.
Aside from that, there was
also an ASPIRE (Agribusiness
Support for Promotion and
Investment in Regional Expo)
Pavilion spearheaded by the
Department of Agriculture, and
OTOP Balangay Pavilion, which
displays the Filipino pride in this
balangay-themed special setting.
This was put up at the SM Atrium.
5
REGIONAL NEWS AND UPDATES

R12 Business Negosyo Center R12 conducts Cooperative

Counsellors Conduct Entrepreneurship and Business Management
Basic Records-Keeping Training for Cooperatives
and Bookkeeping In partnership with the money to purchase and sell their farm
cord financial transactions,
the Business Counsellors (BCs)
conducted “Simple Records-keeping and
Bookkeeping” seminars in their assigned
Negosyo Centers. This basic training was
conceptualized for entrepreneurs who
have no background in bookkeeping to
enable them to properly manage their
book of accounts..
Topics include the importance and benefits
of records-keeping and bookkeeping, and
the differences between bookkeeping and
accounting.
Hands-on workshops were also
conducted to guide the participants on
how to properly fill up the sales journal,
cash disbursement journal, as well as the
cash book, sales and general ledger, and
income statement. They were also taught
how to properly identify the Assets,
Liabilities, and Owner’s Equity
Cooperative Development Authority
(CDA) and the Municipal Cooperative
Development Office (MCDO) of
Midsayap, the Negosyo Center
R12 conducted the Cooperative
Entrepreneurship and Business
Management Training using the
ENTREFARM GAME kit last November
28-29, 2017 at Aces Pension House,
Midsayap, North Cotabato.
This 2-day Entrefarm game
training consisted of the following
module sessions, namely: Basic
Farming Cycle, Records-keeping, Trade
Negotiations, and the Cooperative
Movement.
Trainer-facilitators of this
training were Negosyo Center-
Kidapawan Senior Business Counsellor
Manuel Jayme as the lead Trainer-
Facilitator followed by Business
Counsellor (BC) Adrian Lariba of
NC-Pres. Roxas, BC Kristina Ladja of
NC-Midsayap, BC Sharmela Passion of
NC-Alamada, and NC Coordinator Ken
Wong Jr.
Cooperative Development
Authority-KEO (CDA-KEO)
Representative Ms. Maria Lissa P. Ondoy
warmly welcomed the participants to
the training.
To kick-off the training, Senior
Business Counsellor Manuel Jayme
explained that the training will simulate
the actual operation of a business. As
an Entrefarm game, there will be play
products. There will also be a simulation
of a farm family with a budget for their
monthly consumption, and lands with
its Certificate of Land Title loaned from
the bank.
On Module 1, the participants
divided into farm groups were able to
prepare a cash book and allocate funds
for their farm.
After which was the review
on Basic Coop Management. Here,
the participants need to review their
Business Plan, Strategic Development
Plans, Operating or Budget Plans,
and Manual of Operation. Other
areas reviewed were: Organization of
Coop Resources and Skilled Workers,
Delegation of Powers and Function from
the Top Management and Committees.
Senior BC Manuel Jayme discussed
about the importance of having the said
documents
Next was a lecture on Financial
Literacy delivered by BC Adrian Lariba
who stressed the need for savings by
putting needs over wants, and also
advised them to be wise in using their
resources. He also showed the three
steps to achieving financial freedom,
namely: Plan, Save, and Invest. He
advised the coops to review their
Business Plans, save for the future as in
the case of General Reserve Fund, and
Invest later in other meaningful or high
income generating projects or programs
for their coops.

From May - December 2017,

the training on “Simple Records-keeping
and Bookkeeping” were conducted by the
following NCs, namely: Negosyo Center-
Tupi (May 4), Negosyo Center-Aleosan
(May 17), Negosyo Center-Norala (May
24), Negosyo Center-Gensan (July 12),
Negosyo Center-Midsayap (May 30, July
11, July 18), Negosyo Center-Koronadal
LGU (May 16, July 5, July 6, July 17, August
10, August 16, October 19), Negosyo
Center-Carmen (October 17), Negosyo
Center-Polomolok (June 14, October 17,
November 7), Negosyo Center-Koronadal
City (November 8, 22), Negosyo Center-
Kidapawan (November 13), and Negosyo

6 NEGOSYO CENTER • Region 12


Newly Hired Business Counsellors Enhancing
Preceded With SBCC 101 Training To Competiveness of
Better Service MSMEs R12’s BC Through
A total of 23 newly-hired
Business Counsellors attended
the Small Business Counsellors
Course (SBCC) 101 being held at
the Paraiso Verde Hotel, Koronadal
City from October 2 - 6, 2017.
The said course is organized by
the DTI-12 through the Negosyo
Center together with the University
of the Philippines (UP)-Institute
for Small-Scale Industries. This is
part of a series of courses to train
and equip the Business Counsellors
for them to be able to able to deliver
better services to micro, small and
aspiring entrepreneurs.
Main trainer, Mr. Alfredo
A. Derecho of CNC Discovery,
discussed about the following
topics focusing on the important
role and responsibilities of
Business Counsellors, in particular:
ASEAN Intregration, Overview of
Negosyo Center and Government
Programs for mSMEs, The Role
and Responsibilities of MSME
Counsellor, Understanding the
Client-Entrepreneur Critical
Thinking Process, and Effective
Business Counselling.
Mr. Derecho also discussed
the following topics: Business
Planning and Management; The
Enterprise Assessment Report;
NEGOSYO CENTER • Region 12
Diagnosing and Analyzing the
Marketing FUnctions, Production
Operations, Human Resource
and Organization Management
Functions, and Financial Functions
of an Enterprise.
On October 5, the
Business Counsellors conducted
a field study to come up with an
Enterprise Assessment Plan (EAP)
for the following enterprises: (1)
R.D. Alpine Ice Cream, (2) Tam’s
Barquillos and Lechon, and (3)
GFA Marketing. The last day
will be the presentation of their
report to a panel of judges for
critiquing and discussion. After
which, a graduation ceremony will
commence to officially declare the
Counsellors as graduates of the
said course.
REGIONAL NEWS AND UPDATES
SBCC 103
A total of 55 Business Counsellors
finished the Small Business Counsellors
Course (SBCC) 103 held at Viajera Dine
and Restaurant, Koronadal City, South
Cotabato from October 23-27. This
was organized by the DTI-Negosyo
Center Region 12 together with the UP
Institute for Small Scale Industries (UP-
ISSI).
Lecturer Mr. Orly Ballesteros discussed
about the following topics: Sales and
Marketing, Breakthrough Marketing
Mix, Elements and Characteristics of
Strategic Marketing, How to Prepare
the Strategic Marketing Plan, Contents
of a Marketing Plan, and Marketing
Goals and Objectives, among others.
On the other hand, second lecturer
Mr. Ian Jester De Vera tackled Digital
Marketing, Search Engine Marketing,
and the Format of Strategic Marketing
Plan, among others.
The counsellors were divided into 6
teams according to the province/city
they are assigned to: North Cotabato
1, North Cotabato 2, South Cotabato,
Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, General
Santos City-Regional Office.
The teams were able to come up with a
Marketing Plan for their chosen MSME
specifically: Gallega Marketing (Team
Sultan Kudarat), Phailyn Foods (Team
Sarangani), Scoops Garden Ice Cream
( Team South Cotabato), Don Bosco
Multi-purpose Cooperative (Team
North Cot 1), Noble Endeavours Inc.
(Team North Cot 2), and Jems Grill
Native Chicken and Seafood Restaurant
(Team Gensan-Cotabato City-Regional
Office).
These Marketing Plan were presented
to a panel of judges composed of
the following: Leonard V. Flores,
Division Chief of the DTI-12 Industry
Development Division; and Leonard
Cubillas of UP-ISSI.
7
PROVINTIAL NEWS AND UPDATES
Business Plan and
Financial Statement in SKSU
To equip students on making
Business Plans and Feasibility
Studies, the Negosyo Center-Glan
in partnership with the Sultan
Kudarat State University(SKSU) -
Glan Extension conducted a seminar
entitled “Business Planning and
Financial Statement Preparation”
last November 15, 2017 at the said
university’s premises. The participants
comprised of seventeen (17) 4th year
BS Accounting Technology students,
and two SKSU staff.
The Negosyo Center-Glan
extended their help without hesitation
to these graduating students in line
with one of the program’s vision in
promoting economic growth through
one of the services of Negosyo Center
which is Business Information and
Advocacy.
The seminar is tailored with
discussions on essential key points of a
Mentees in Cotabato City, SK and SC
A total of 71 mentees completed
Module 4: Product Development,
of the 10-module course under
the Kapatid Mentor ME Program
(KMME) in teh following key areas:
Cotabato City (August 8), Sultan
Kudarat (August 17), and South
Cotabato (August 18).
PCE-accredited mentor Danny D.
Sabino of The Churner Group, Inc.,
lectured on the different stages of
Product Development, as well as other
related topics. “Value Proposition
is what the customer gets for what
the customer pays, or a bundle of
products and services that are of value
to the customer. Companies do not
compete with products and services;
they compete in value proposition,” he
said.
8 NEGOSYO CENTER • Region 12
business plan like 4P’s of marketing,
diagnostic tools to distinguish
problems such as SWOT analysis,
cost benefit analysis, decision tree,
and five forces analysis. They also
tackled about different strategies in
pricing, product development, and
operations.
Lastly, a workshop was held
wherein participants formulated
a Financial Statement, which was
evaluated and critiqued by the
resource persons.
The Sultan Kudarat State
University – Glan Ext is a premier
university extension of Sultan
Kudarat Province to provide quality
education to the locals of Glan,
Sarangani province mainly in the
fields of Business and Commerce,
Teaching Education, and Information
Technology.
He cited several reasons why new
products fail: “New products fail due
to lack of differentiating advantage,
poor marketing plan, poor timing,
too small target market, poor product
quality, and no access to market.”
Negosyo Center
Tacurong conducts
Skills Training for
Inmates
In line with the Tacurong
City Jail’s program for inmates,
the Negosyo Center-Tacurong
held a Skills Training on Hanging
Decorations-Making for 24 jail
inmates last November 23, 2017 at
the Tacurong City Jail District.
The said Jail will be
displaying the inmates’ products
in the upcoming “Sulong Tacurong
Producers Fair” which will exhibit
different native handicrafts.
In line with this, Ms. Nelia
Roche, DTI’s Negosyo Center
Coordinator for Sultan Kudarat,
explained that handicrafts-making
has huge business potential and
can be one business prospect that
inmates can start.
For the said workshop,
resource speaker Mr. Jose Ernesto
Espinosa, owner of Crafts and
Trinkets, showed how to make
hanging decorations including
the tools, processes, designs and
techniques. He also lectured on the
bestselling handicrafts in the local
and international market that the
participants can gain inspiration
with.
After which, a workshop and
hands-on training followed which
enabled the participants to produce
a hanging flower decoration. Next,
the lecturer gave his thoughts on
how they can improve the product
design.
Thus, the inmates were
given a chance to learn a new skill
which they can pursue as a hobby or
 PROVINTIAL NEWS AND UPDATES

Negosyo Center-Gensan Conducts Negosyong Patok! Skills Training

Seminars

For most aspiring Making on November 28, and

entrepreneurs, one of the
common challenges is coming up
with a business idea to begin with.
Thus, the Negosyo Center-Gensan
regularly conducts Negosyong
Patok! Skills Training Seminars
wherein potential entrepreneurs
learn how to make different “patok”
or trending products which
they can pursue as a business.
With this, the Negosyo
Center-Gensan held seminars
seminars on Coconut By-
products Processing (August
24), Bead Accessories Making
and Spa Business (September
21), Meat Processing (September
26), Aromatic Candle Making
(October 20), No-Bake Goodies
Balloons-Making (December 14). On the other hand, trainer
Mr. Maty Verdeblanco was the
A Skills Training seminar was resource person for two seminar
conducted by NC-Gensan for wherein he taught participants
fishermen’s housewives based how to properly process and
at Barangay Labangal, General produce coconut by-products such
Santos City. Trainer Ms. Mary Jane as coco jam and coco burger, and
S. Entila taught the participants also meat processed foods such as
how to make different kinds of embutido, longganisa, and tocino.
bracelets and earrings; at the same
time,Ms. Ma. Estella Ebojo taught For the Negosyo Patok: No Bake
them how to do facial and hand spa. Goodies Making, Mr. Jose Razel
Lape of Goldenstate College,
Entila also conducted Inc. showed them how to make
another seminar on Candle- no-bake mango cheesecake,
Making wherein she showed the chocolate brownies, graham
participants how to make ice truffles, refrigerated fruit cake,
water candle, iceberg candle, and and salted caramel macarons.
the molded aromatic candles
using glass jars and paper cups.

Negosyo Center-Esperanza conducts Intensive Coaching and Mentoring (INCOME):

Scaling-up and Sustaining MSME’s Enterprise
To help MSMEs scale
up their business, the Negosyo
Center-Esperanza held a training
dubbed as “Intensive Coaching
and Mentoring (INCOME): Scal-
ing-up and Sustaining MSME’s
Enterprise” which commenced
last September 22, 2017.
Through the INCOME
program, these MSMEs from
Esperanza have undergone
intensive coaching sessions on
Costing, Product Development,
and Market Segmentation and
Expansion. NC-Esperanza Busi-
ness Counsellor Mr. Kristianne
Gem C. Joquino served as the
facilitator of the said program.
Trainer Mr. Dindo Que-
vada discussed about how to
improve their product labels. He
showed a map of Sultan Kudarat
province for their basis on their
market segmentation and ex-
pansion so they could narrow in
their target market. The speaker
then instructed the mentees to
be ready for their graduation
because there will be a trade fair,
wherein they will display their
products and sell it.
Trade Fair Participation
As part of their grad-
uation of the said training,
15 selected MSMEs displayed
their products in the Trade Fair
conducted by the DTI Negosyo
Center during the Hinabyog
Festival of Sultan Kudarat last
October 23-29, 2017. They were
able to generate a cash sales of
more than Php 20, 000.00 during
the 7-day trade fair.
On November 8, a graduation
ceremony was held for the grad-
uates of the INCOME program.
IC PD Sinobago pointed
out that it was in Sultan Kudarat
where a local coaching program
was first conducted. As such, she
hopes that this endeavor would
serve as an inspiration to all oth-
er Negosyo Centers in the other
municipalities of SK to pursue
a similar activity since a lot can
benefit from it.

NEGOSYO CENTER • Region 12 9

PROVINTIAL NEWS AND UPDATES
Negosyo Center Cotabato City
Conducts Food Photography
Seminar
To effectively market their
products online, local MSMEs
from Cotabato City were able
to attend a seminar on Food
Photography organized by
DTI’s Negosyo Center-Cotabato
City on November 21, 2017 at
Sardonyx Plaza, Cotabato City.
Speaker Ms. Mariecor
Malao, President of local
photographer’s Club “Kutawato
Kamera Klab”, discussed
about the importance and
benefits of good photographs
to attract buyers. Photos of the
products aside from the product
presentation greatly affect the
perspective of buyers whether to
buy or not. Thus, she said, taking
good photos is a crucial strategy
in selling their products online.
Lastly, their best product
In addition, she taught photos were immediately posted
about the technical aspects of by the participants on their
getting good product photos. respective
Malao emphasized that good
pictures are taken better
The advent of internet has
opened a myriad of opportunities for
entrepreneurs to do business as MSMEs
anywhere can now reach more customers
around the globe. So as to tap into this
vast resource, some of the region’s Busi-
ness Counsellors conducted e-commerce
seminars in their respective Negosyo
Centers, as follows: NC-Midsayap (May
23), and NC-Koronadal LGU (August
24).
These trainings taught MSMEs
the importance of having an online
presence at the same time, capacitated
them on e-commerce or online market-
ing. Topics include website development
using Wordpress, online marketing,
Search Engine Optimization, and Google
10
with good, natural lighting.
Moreover, she also stressed the
proper angling of the shots.
Plus, she reminded them
to be creative when it comes
to product presentation. She
encouraged them to use props
which will further enhance the
product presentation to buyers.
After the lecture, a
workshop followed wherein
participants were given the
chance to take a picture of their
own products using what they
have learned from the lecture. A
critique session followed wherein
the speaker gave valuable inputs
and feedback on how they can
improve their photography skills.
Facebook pages.
Analytics, among others.
Further, MSMEs were guided as they
launched their own websites or Facebook
business pages. By having their own web-
sites or social media pages which can be
conveniently accessed online, potential
customers can easily check out and avail
of their products and services. in other provinces outside of Cotabato
This initiative positively resulted to a to-
tal of 186 MSMEs now selling thru online
platforms. And as of December 15, 2017,
the number of MSMEs now selling onlne
include the following: General Santos
City - 99; Cotabato City - 11; Sultan
Kudarat - 31; South Cotabato - 13; Saran-
gani - 8; and, North Cotabato - 26.
LGU-Cotabato
City Turns Over
Mini-van to NC -
Cotabato City
In support of the Negosyo
NC R12 FACTS AND FIGURES
Center program, the Local Government
Unit (LGU) of Cotabato City, through its
City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-
Sayadi, turned over a mini-van to NC-
Cotabato City on September 11, 2017. The
turn-over ceremony was held at Cotabato
City People’s Palace, Rosary Heights X,
Cotabato City, which served as the LGU’s
counterpart to further the delivery of
services to the LGU’s constituent MSMEs.
The said ceremony was attended Mayor
Guiani-Sayadi, DTI Cotabato City OIC-
Provincial Director Carlito E. Nunez,
LGU and DTI-CC personnel, and the
general public.
OIC-PD Nunez expressed his
heartfelt thanks to the LGU for their
continued support of, and partnership
with DTI to deliver “Serbisyong Higit
Pa Sa Inaasahan”. Mayor Guiani-Sayadi
personally handed the key to the vehicle.
Through this, NC-Cotabato City will be
able to easily reach the city’s 37 barangays
and deliver faster and more efficient
services to thousands of MSMEs.
The center also conducted
trainings to 10 barangays thru the
Negosyo Center Goes to the Barangay
to raise awareness on Negosyo Center’s
services.
Sharing how the Negosyo Center assisted
her business, JBH Food Express Propri-
etress Junnairah Adrie from Cotabato
City recounted how effective social media
marketing has been in helping boost
her sales: “After posting my chili garlic
sauce on Facebook, I received inquiries
from random people, even those based
City. Through Facebook, I was able to get
more customers, which resulted to more
sales.” With more sales, her production
also increased from one (1) kilogram of
chili garlic sauce to an average of 32 kilo-
grams of chili garlic sauce per month.
NEGOSYO CENTER • Region 12
 NEGOSYO CENTERS LAUNCHED
ACROSS REGION 12
obdf l k=NO

3 DTI 48 LGU 1 ACADEME

BASED ON MODEL TYPE 52,912

Total No. of
Clients Assisted
8 Sarangani Province 15% MODEL A 18
12 Sultan Kudarat
21,594
12 South Cotabato Existing MSMEs Assisted
37% MODEL C 34
18 North Cotabato 2,838
New MSMEs Developed
1 General Santos City
28,480
1 Cotabato City Potential MSMEs Assisted

Loans granted/ approved: Php 99, 911, 947.00 1,381

Managerial/ Entrep
Loan applications endoresed to Partner FIs/GFIs - 1, 979 Training Programs

43,577
MSMEs availed of loans - 1, 579 Participants

Other A2F related services rendered - 910

Total A2F Services - 4, 468

SERVICES RENDERED TO MSMEs

8,264 BN Registration Facilitated Facilitate
502 BMBE Registration Facilitated 11,962 Processing of
3,196 Other BN Facilitation Docs

276 Product Catalogue Profiles/ Profiles Prepare

Product
344 Packaging and Labeling Designs Developed
960 Development
170 Product Clinics Facilitated
170 Other ProDev related services rendered

200 Developed MSMEs Selling Through Online

Access to
215 A2M Related Services 415 Market

74 Investment Fora/ Briefing; Business Matching Invesment

29 Investment Mission 129 Promotion
26 Other Related Services Rendered

10,838 MSME Profiles/ Directories/ Success Stories MSME

Prepared/ Uploaded/ Updated 23,930 Database
13,092 Dissemination of Materials

OtherServices
9,190 Other Services Rendered to MSMEs 83,243

NEGOSYO CENTER • Region 12 11

 NC Midsayap Launched
DTI 12 recently launched NC
- Midsayap on November 22, 2017 at the
Midsayap Municipal Compound, Poblacion
3, Midsayap, Cotabato Province. This is
the 52nd and last Negosyo Center to be
launched in the region, and is the largest
among all the Negosyo Centers established
in SOCCSKSARGEN. Around 129 people
attended the launching which coincided
with the celebration of the Sinugba Festival
of Midsayap.
NC - Midsayap is housed in a two-
storey building with the first floor serving as
the center’s receiving area and consultation
room, the LGU’s Business Process and
Licensing Office (BPLO), as well as a DTI
Midsayap District Office. The second floor
is occupied by the Local Economic and
Investment Promotion Office (LEIPO), and
also houses the center’s training room which
can accommodate up to 60 participants. It is
a Model A Negosyo Center with a receiving
area, consultation room, and training room,
offering the three major services of the center,
namely: Business Registration Assistance,
Business Advisory, and Business Information
and Advocacy.
Leading the ceremony are the
Municipal Mayor of Midsayap Romeo
Araña, Vice-Mayor Albert Luis Garduque,
OIC- Provincial Director of DTI-North
Cotabato Carlito Nuńez, DTI-North

NC R12 DI
PROVINCE NEGOSYO CENTER MODEL ADDRESS

3&4 Floors, De Luz Bldg., Corner Aquino St. Gensan Drive, Koronadal City, South Cotaba-
Regional Office
to, Philippines

NC General Santos A Ground Floor, RA Building, South Osmena Street, General Santos City

NC Cotabato A G/F, Kutang Bato Masonic Temple Building, Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City

NC Isulan A SNA Avenue, Municipal Compound, Kalawag III, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat
NC Tacurong A City Hall Compound, Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat
NC Lambayong C Municipal Compound, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat
SULTAN KUDARAT

NC P. Quirino C Municipal Compound, Poblacion, Pres. Quirino, Sultan Kudarat

NC Lutayan C Municipal Hall, Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat
NC Columbio C Municipal Hall, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat
NC Esperanza A Municipal Training Center, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat
NC Lebak A Municipal Hall Compound, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat
NC Bagumbayan C Farmer’s Training Center, Poblacion, Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat
NC Kalamansig C Municipal Compound, Poblacion, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat
NC Sen. Ninoy Aquino C Municipal Hall, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat
NC Palimbang C Municipal Hall, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat
NC Polomolok A Stall #64 & 65, Municipal Gym, Polomolok, South Cotabato
NC Tupi A 2nd Floor, Mayor’s Office, Municipal Hall Bldg., Tupi, South Cotabato
NC Tampakan C Public Market, Poblacion, Tampakan, South Cotabato
SOUTH COTABATO

NC Koronadal NDMU A 2nd Floor Kobe Building, Alunan Avenue, Koronadal City, South Cotabato
NC Surallah A Ground Floor, Surallah Municipal Hall, Brgy. Libertad, Surallah, South Cotabato
NC Koronadal LGU A NC, 3rd Floor, New City Hall Building, Zone III, Gensan Drive
NC Sto. Nino C Office of the Market Supervisor, Public Market, Poblacion, Sto. Nino, South Cotabato
NC Norala C 2nd Floor, Municipal Hall, Norala, South Cotabato
NC Banga C Municipal Hall Compound, Banga, South Cotabato
NC Tboli C Ground Floor, Municipal Production Center, Tboli, South Cotabato
NC Tantangan C Municipal Hall, Tantangan, South Cotabato
NC Lake Sebu C Municipal Hall View Deck, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

12 NEGOSYO CENTER • Region 12

 Cotabato Division Chief (DC) of Industry
Development Division Ferdinand C. Cabiles,
and DTI-12 Regional Office DC of Small
Medium Enterprise Development Division
Ethel Laksmi I. Gumana.
Municipal Mayor Romeo
Araña expressed his appreciation to the
establishment of the NC together with other
offices which will be able to help, develop
and nurture local businesses in Midsayap.
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Albert Luis
Garduque said that the NC will not only help
the economy of the Philippines to prosper,
but also be a beacon of hope to those in need.
On behalf of DTI-12 Regional
Director Ibrahim K. Guiamadel, OIC-
Provincial Director of Cotabato City Mr.
Carlito E. Nuńez exhorted how the Negosyo
Center will be of great help in the progress of
the town, which currently ranks as the 11th
Most Competitive First Class Municipality
in the country. Furthermore, DTI-North
Cotabato Chief Trade and Industry
Development Specialist Ferdinand Cabiles
thanked the LGU-Midsayap for their help
and support in the realization of this project
as well as the MSMEs who also graced the
launching.
On behalf of Congressman Jesus
Sacdalan, Engr. Jerry Tieldad rendered a
short but inspiring message wherein he
congratulated the LGU-Midsayap as well as
DTI for successfully launching the center.
Moreover, representative of the Philippine
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr.
Mario Cacabelos also talked about how
important the services of the Negosyo Centers
is in the development of local businesses.

R EC TORY
NEGOSYO CENTER MODEL ADDRESS PROVINCE

NC Aleosan C Public Terminal, Brgy. San Mateo, Aleosan, Cotabato

NC Alamada C Municipal Gymnasium, Alamada, North Cotabato
NC Midsayap A LGU Compound, Poblacion 3, Midsayap, Cotabato
NC Pikit C Negosyo Center Building, cor. LGU Plaza, Poblacion, Pikit, North Cotabato
NC Pigcawayan C Ground Floor, Municipal Hall Building, Pigcawayan, North Cotabato
NC Libungan C MEEDO Office, Public Terminal,Poblacion, Libungan, North Cotabato

NORTH COTABATO
NC Makilala C Ground Floor, Municipal Hall Bldg., Brgy. Poblacion, Makilala, Cotabato, 9401
NC Kidapawan City A LGU-Investment Promotion Center, JP Laurel St., Kidapawan City, North Cotabato
NC Antipas C Municipal Hall, beside BPLO office, Antipas, North Cotabato
NC Pres. Roxas C Brgy. Poblacion, Municipal Gymnasium, President Roxas, North Cotabato
NC Magpet C Public Market, Poblacion Magpet, North Cotabato
NC Arakan C Groundfloor, Municipal Hall, Arakan, North Cotabato, 9417
NC Kabacan A Kabacan Integrated Terminal Complex, Brgy. Kayaga, Kabacan, North Cotabato
NC Kabacan C Municipal Gymnasium, Tulunan Goverment Complex, Poblacion, Tulunan, Cotabato
NC Mlang A Mlang Municipal Compound, Poblacion, Mlang, North Cotabato
NC Matalam C Ground Floor, Municipal Hall Bldg., Brgy. Poblacion, Matalam, Cotabato, 9406
NC Carmen C 2nd Floor, Public Terminal Building, Barangay Poblacion, Carmen, Cotabato
NC Banisilan C 2nd Floor, Municipal Hall Building, Banisilan, North Cotabato
NC Alabel LGU C Public Market, Poblacion, Alabel, Sarangani Province
NC Sarangani (Alabel
A 2F NGA Bldg, Capitol Complex, 9501 Alabel, Sarangani Province
SARANGANIPROVINCE

PGO)
Municipal Tourism Office, Municipal Hall Compound, Poblacion, Maasim, Sarangani
NC Maasim C
Province
beside Pasalubong Center Malapatan, Malapatan Municipal Compound, Brgy. Poblacion,
NC Malapatan C
Malapatan, Sarangani Province
NC Glan C Municipal Treasurers Office, E. Cariño Street, Poblacion, Glan, Sarangani Province

NC Malungon C MO-Market Office,Municipality of Malungon, Poblacion, Malungon, Sarangani Province

NC Maitum C BPLS Office, Municipal Hall, Poblacion, Maitum, Sarangani Province

NC Kiamba C Municipal Compound, Poblacion, Sarangani Province

NEGOSYO CENTER • Region 12 13

SUCCESS STORIES
A Project That Earned Millions
The Success Story
TATVA VENDORS By: Mary Lorynail Faith Andrade/
Katrina G. Coloso
The Tacurong Terminal Vendors
Association was established in 2014
by vendors of the Tacurong Integrated
Public Terminal. They became a recipient
of a starter kit, which is a grant from the
Department of Labor and Employment,
for them to have their own stalls and
initial supplies.
In 2016, TATVA President Mr.
Rene I. Sarao wanted to establish their
own grocery center where vendor-
members can buy their goods. In
order to avail of DOLE XII Funding
assistance for Livelihood Enhancement
Project amounting to P200, 000.00, the
association led by their President sought
the assistance of the Negosyo Center.
The Negosyo Center-Tacurong City
assisted them in the Project Proposal
Preparation and Business Plan to be
used for the availment of the said DOLE
project. The NC-Tacurong City Business
Counsellor Mary Lorynail Faith Andrade
also gave them consultancy services
Success Story of
COCO FOOD PRODUCTS
With an initial capital of Php 5, 000, Mrs.
Imee Tomboc started her business, Coco Food
Products, on November of 2015. Her product
lines include patupat, sugar cane vinegar,
muscovado bar, sugarcane jam (politipot), and
spiced sugar cane vinegar.
In order to improve her products and
business, Tomboc went to the Negosyo Center-
President Quirino for business assistance. She
14
on business management and financial
recording, which was attended by TATVA
officers.
With the concerted effort of the
association, they became one of the
recipients of the Php 200, 000.00 grant
from DOLE, which was used for the
establishment of the TATVA Groceria
Project.
As a result of the establishment of the
TATVA Groceria Project, the 36 members
were able to reap additional income,
more benefits, and expanded operations.
For the breakdown, 60 percent of the net
income of the grocery will be allotted to
the members’ SSS monthly premium,
medical assistance, office supplies and
equipments, Christmas Party, Founding
anniversary, and other activities.
Meanwhile, 20 percent of the net
income will go to the business fund
for future investment and business
continuity of TATVA. On the other
hand, 20 percent of the net income will
go to TATVA members’ profit sharing or
by: Melvin Lampon
was able to attend trainings and seminars
of the Negosyo Center-President Quirino,
in particular: Production management
for Small Business, Food Safety and Good
Manufacturing Practices, Food Preservation
and In-house Product Shelf-life Study, and
Increasing Market Competitiveness through
Product Label Enhancement.
From this, she learned how to improve
the processing, manufacturing, food
preservation, and lengthening of the shelf-life
of her products.
The Negosyo Center-President Quirino
also helped her improved the labeling of
her products. With the new and improved
product labeling design, she was able to gain
more customers.
Furthermore, the NC-President Quirino
endorsed her as one of the Kapatid Mentor
ME (KMME) mentees of Sultan Kudarat.
Through the KMME, she learned about how
dividend, which will be given every June
and December.
Aside from that, it provided
employment opportunities for TATVA
members. It also generated more funds
to provide medical, educational and
mortuary assistance to its members. The
association also offers financial assistance
to its members.
The Local Government Unit of
Tacurong also granted them a space for
lease at the terminal which covers an
area of 585 square feet, which is intended
to house the operation of the business.
The space will be leased from the City
Government of Tacurong with a monthly
payment of Php 3,000.00.
From January to October 2017, the
association’s sales have already reached
more or less Php 6, 750, 000.00. With
this, the members are reaping the benefits
brought about this project, and are very
thankful to the assistance given by the
Negosyo Center, which helped them
access the grant.
to properly manage her business, develop her
products, and market to customers.
With the assistance of the Negosyo
Center, she was also able to join trade fairs and
exhibits, such as the SULONG (Sustaining
Unlimited Livelihood Opportunities by
Nurturing Growth of MSMEs in Tacurong)
Tacurong’s Trade Fair last August 1-3, 2017.
Due to these interventions of the
Negosyo Center, she was able to improve
her product, and gain a wider market reach;
thereby, increasing her sales. Previously, her
gross income was only Php 5, 000 to Php 10,
000. But now, her monthly gross income has
increased to Php 30, 000 up to Php 40, 000.
Seeing the huge leap of Coco Food
Products, one can say that there is much more
in store for this enterprise; and with the help
of the Negosyo Center, this micro-enterprise
is set to capture a bigger, wider market in the
near future.
NEGOSYO CENTER • Region 12

Success Story of
Hot Pockets Food Station
By: Sharon Faith B. Medecilo/ Katrina G. Coloso
Through sheer hard work
and determination, proprietress
Ms. Khristine S. Obasa turned
the humble empanadas to a viable
business.
In 2010, proprietress
Khristine S. Obasa, started her
own business, Hotpockets Food
Station, which initially produced
cakes, pastries and Filipino
delicacies. Seeing the increasing
demand for her empanadas,
she then decided to focus on
empanadas, which proved to
be the turning point of her
enterprise. These empanadas
come in different flavors- cheese,
chocolate, buko and vegetable.
Along with positive feedback from
her customers, she put up a cart
in General Santos City National
High School, Calumpang, General
Santos City, where her product
sold like hotcakes.
Eager to learn more and
grow her business, she went to the
Negosyo Center where she availed
of free trainings and business
assistance. Her breakthrough as
an entrepreneur came when she
was endorsed by the Negosyo
Center-General Santos City as
one of the Kapatid Mentor ME
mentees on April 2017.
“Sa Kapatid Mentor ME,
madami akong natutunan tulad ng
pag-handling ng mga employees,
paano ang tamang pag-market at
pag-presyo ng produkto, at ano
ang iba’t ibang taxes sa negosyo
(Through the Kapatid Mentor ME
program, I learned how to properly
manage my employees, how to
market and price my product, and
what are the different business
NEGOSYO CENTER • Region 12
taxes),” said Obasa.
The Kapatid Mentor ME
program gave her the big push
to grow her business and gain
more customers in the process.
“I gained more confidence as an
entrepreneur since I learned the ins
and outs of business,” she said.
Obasa also participated in
a Market Matching activity last
May 2017 which was facilitated
by the DTI through the Negosyo
Center. Her product, Longtaw
Empanada, was matched with
institutional markets like hotels
and the Farmer’s Market. When
before she only supplied to the
students of GSC National High
School, she is now supplying
empanadas to major hotels,
schools and regular customers. As
a result, her estimated monthly
gross income has increased from
Php 100, 000 per month to about
Php 200, 000 per month.
She was also able to
participate in various DTI-
initiated trade fairs, Yaman
Gensan, and the WOFEX Learning
Mission. In the WOFEX Mission,
she learned about the different
processing and packaging
techniques; and currently, she is
SUCCESS STORIES
processing her License To Operate
from FDA and other government
permits.
Aside from that, she has
applied her learnings in product
development from KMME, and
is currently applying for an IPO
for her product’s brand name-
Longtaw Empanada- through
the IPO’s Juana Makes a Mark
incentive package. In addition,
she is undergoing a packaging
development activity under the
DTI’s OTOP Program.
From November to
December, she will be displaying
her products along with other
Gensan-based MSMES in the
DTI Gensan-initiated “OTOP
Philippines Hub” in the Atrium of
Gaisano Mall, General Santos City.
This hub will showcase products
proudly made by local MSMEs.
The said showroom and exhibit
will surely bring more sales and
customers to Hotpockets Food
Station.
With a growing income and
ongoing business development
plans,Obasa’s Hotpockets Food
Station with brand name Longtaw
Empanada has just begun to make
her mark in the foo
15
SUCCESS STORIES
Once an OFW
Now Captures Huge Market in Tailoring
By: Katrina G. Coloso/Mark Nikko Manginsay
For over 17 years, peddling
pillowcases, curtains, and blankets in
the different barangays of Matalam,
North Cotabato was the daily routine
of Analiza Torres. Just like in other
days, Analiza peddled pillowcases
when she came before the Negosyo
Center-Matalam.
By chance, she entered NC-
Matalam to peddle her products, and
met the center’s Business Counsellor
Mark Nikko Manginsay, who
knowing that the center caters to all
micro and small entrepreneurs, gave
her an orientation about the center’s
services.
Analiza was briefed about the
importance of business registration,
which encouraged her to register her
business as Analiza Tailoring Shop.
During the business consultation,
she relayed to the Counsellor her one
major problem --- the lack of capital
from which to buy the raw materials
she needs in bulk -- thus, affecting her
production capacity.
The Counsellor then
recommended her to the Pondo sa
Pagbabago at Pag-asenso, or the
P3 Financing Program, which has
a lower interest rate compared to
16
other financing institutions. The
Counsellor facilitated her loan
application with the Mediatrix Multi-
purpose Cooperative-Kidapawan,
a Small Business Corporation (SB
Corp) conduit partner of the P3
Program. The MPC approved her
loan amounting to PhP10,000, which
was released on August 8, 2017.
Thereafter, after paying off the entire
loan amount, she applied for a second
loan from the same FI amounting to
PhP15,000, which was also approved
and released on October 23, 2017.
Analiza did not also have
an alternative marketing platform
other than peddling in the streets.
The Counsellor then suggested that
she post her products on Facebook
to enable her to reach new customers
and widen her market reach.
Forging Her Path to Success
Through the center’s
interventions, Analiza was able to gain
new customers, supplying the bedding
requirement of LSB Hotel located in
the municipality of Bansalan, Davao
Del Sur, as well as Presto Dormitory
in Midsayap, North Cotabato.
Her monthly sales have
now increased from Php 40,000 to
Php 60,000, incurring a 50 percent
increase. She was also able to increase
her working capital from Php 10, 000
to Php 60, 000.
With these developments,
Analiza now has plans to further
increase her production by employing
more people, thus improve her
production and enable her to expand
her market to the neighboring
municipalities in Cotabato province.
Her continued success since
the center assisted her has imbued
Analiza with so much enthusiasm. She
expressed her appreciation to DTI and
the Negosyo Center, particularly to
the Counsellor who helped her jump-
start her path to success. Without the
Negosyo Center, she said, her business
would not have grown as much as it
has now.
All this would not have
happened had she not dropped by
the Negosyo Center that fateful
afternoon. It was a truly unexpected
yet purposeful encounter that changed
her life, and helped her once fledgling
endeavor into becoming a full-blown
enterprise.
NEGOSYO CENTER • Region 12
 Cooking from the Heart: The Success Story of Nene Ubag
By: Katrina G. Coloso

When it comes to catering and
baking in Cotabato City, Nene Ubag
comes on top of the list. She is known
in the city for her sweets, delicacies,
viands, snacks, cakes, and pastries.
Her name has become synonymous
to “delicious food” which is a testa-
ment to her legacy in the food business.
Brimming with orders, her
kitchen-in-the-house-turned-produc-
tion-center is one busy area. Orders can
sometimes be more than a thousand
packed lunches, snacks or dinners that
she delivers even late at night or at dawn.
Indeed, at the age of 54,
Maristella “Nene” Ubag seems to have
no let-up as she busies herself with
the day-to-day operations of her busi-
ness. Now, with over nine employees,
she still remains hands-on and pre-
pares the recipes and orders herself. In-
deed, her business has come a long way
from where it started in her kitchen.
Spanning over 35 years, Nene
Ubag’s business has undergone transi-
tions and unexpected twists and turns.
In 1982, she humbly recalled starting out
with processing meat, and peddling her
tocino, chorizo, hotdog, freshly-dressed
chicken and pork to neighbors and em-
ployees. She also made and sold delica-
cies and viands such as lumpia, ginataan,
puto, and bibingka. With an initial capi-
tal of P500, she rolled whatever meager
sales she had back into her business.
bato City, asked her to become one of
their suppliers of macapuno and pea-
nut butter. This proved to be beneficial
to her business. On that year, she ven-
tured into making Filipino beloved
delicacies, cakes and pastries such as
brownies, macarons, puto cheese, cakes,
cassava cakes, fudgee bars, ensayma-
da, loaf bread, and polvoron. She was
hesitant at first when this was suggest-
ed to her by a marketing agent. Fortu-
nately, this new venture became one of
her major breakthroughs in business.
Her products were warmly welcomed
by customers and sold like hotcakes.
From thereon, her business
caught like wildfire. Now, Nene Ubag’s
Cakes and Pastries products is a favorite
food staple, displayed in the canteen of
Notre Dame University, Savemore Cota-
bato, and major stalls in Lebak and Upi.
At the same time, Nene also
offered catering services such as packed
lunches and merienda. “The custom-
ers themselves are the ones who look
for me. I already have regular custom-
ers who refer us to their friends. It’s no
wonder since I have been doing the
business for a long time,” she shared.
Indeed, Nene Ubag has built
a name in the food industry and cater-
ing services in Cotabato City. She regu-
larly caters to politicians, government,
schools, individuals, and organizations.
Since 2005, she has provided the merien-
da for athletes of the Palarong ARMAA.
percent increase in their sales in South
Seas mall alone. “We have strangers call-
ing us and placing orders,” Nene said.
With the help of DTI and
Negosyo Center- Cotabato, City, they
were able to improve the account-
ing, financial, and management as-
pects of their business. Jose Meljohn
was also one of the 20 Kapatid Men-
tor Me (KMME) mentee graduates
in North Cotabato last June 28, 2017.
They also attended the training
on FDA Registration conducted by FDA
and DTI- Negosyo Center last April 20,
2017 at Negosyo Center Cotabato City.
Currently, they are in the process of ac-
quiring a license to operate from FDA,
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP),
and Hazard Analysis and Critical Con-
trol Points (HACCP). They are also
developing their production area to ac-
commodate the large orders coming in.
At present, their monthly av-
erage sales per month do not go below
PhP 400,000, proof of their success in
the food business. Asked what is the
secret to her success, she said, “We de-
liver customer’s orders on-time and for
free even late at night or early in the
morning. We also maintain the qual-
ity of the food, and we value the trust
given to us. At the heart of our busi-
ness is our customers,” Nene shared.

Business however, was not al- Although her business

ways brisk. Nene encountered delayed
payments, spoilage, and difficulty jug-
gling time between taking care of her
children and the business. Amidst these
challenges, she recalls the one thing that
kept her going: “I reminded myself to
work hard, persist, and not lose hope.”
Her children became her motivation.
“I have to work doubly hard in order to
make ends meet and pay for my chil-
dren’s tuition and daily needs,” she add-
ed. Even when the odds were against her,
she persisted through all the hardships.
In 2002, an opportunity opened
up for the business when South Seas
Mall, one of the major malls in Cota-
was doing well, she knew that more
needs to be done. In 2008, she regis-
tered her business with DTI, enabling
her to join trade fairs and trainings.
Continuing her legacy is her son, Jose
Meljohn Ubag, who is now actively in-
volved in the business. Recognizing
business opportunities, Meljohn devel-
ops new products and is also incharge
of the legal paperworks, marketing, and
financials. He regularly joins trainings
at the Negosyo Center. One major assis-
tance of DTI and Negosyo Center was
the enhancement of the packaging and
labeling of Nene Ubag’s Cakes and Pas-
tries in 2016. This led to a more than 90

NEGOSYO CENTER • Region 12 17

 Success Story of Ryle’s Enterprises
By: Katrina Coloso
Starting out as a hobby, Rev. Jamewell
was still a working student when he
began making personalized necklaces
and bracelets out of coconut shell, lo-
cally known as “bagul”. Thish he sold
to his teachers and classmates. When
he became a Pastor for the United
Church of Christ in the Philippines
(UCCP), he focused on his minis-
try, and at the same time, continued
his hobby of making handicrafts.
Using only his equipment
composed of an electric grinder,
electric hand drill, and handsaw, he
was able to make unique, handmade
arts and crafts. One of his notable
products is the uniquely-designed
lampshades made of native bamboo.
His product lines include
lampshades, placemats, racks, per-
sonalized key holders, wallets, bags,
refrigerator magnets, bracelets, and
necklaces. “Some of the all-time fa-
vorites are the key holders and wal-
lets which are given as souvenir
items during weddings and special
occasions,” shares Rev. Jamewell in
the vernacular. These products can
be customized according to custom-
er specifications. “Once a customer
places an order, I make a prototype
first, and show it to him or her,” he
shares. “When the customer ap-
proves the design and the cost, I
then start production,” he added.
DTI Assistance
Learning about the advan-
tages of registering his business, he
went to DTI and registered his busi-
ness name as “Jarod’s Native Prod-
ucts” after his youngest son, Jarod,
in 2012. He later renewed it as “Ja-
rod’s Arts and Crafts” in 2017. As-
sistance from DTI and Negosyo
Center came in the form of product
development trainings, market as-
sistance, capacity-building trainings,
business counseling, and trade fairs.
18
The peak market seasons
for his products are from April
to May, and December. His high-
est gross sales was during the 2016
elections wherein one political can-
didate ordered 500 pieces of key
holders. His major breakthrough in
business however was made possi-
ble through the assistance of DTI.
In one of DTI’S cliniquing and prod-
uct development assistance initia-
tives, mentor and resource speak-
er Ray Soliven advised him to try
his hand at making lampshades
which are in-demand in the market.
Following his advice,
Jamewell innovated on this idea, and
made a lampshade made of bam-
boo that lights up without electric-
ity. What makes it more intriguing
are the unique, eye-catching designs
of the lampshades. This new prod-
uct offering was well-received by the
market. And during the Treasures of
SOCCSKSARGEN Trade Fair held
at SM-Gensan in November 2016,
Jarod’s Arts and Crafts received the
“Most Innovative Product” award.
Trade fairs became conduits to further
expand his market. Now, his products
are displayed at the Pasalubong Cen-
ter of SM-Gensan, UK Peak in Aleo-
san, SCC Nature Farm in Midsayap,
and a store in Matambabay, Libungan.
His handicrafts are also sold at Nego-
syo Center-Tulunan and Negosyo
Center-Matalam in North Cotabato.
He also became one of the
mentees for the Kapatid Mentor ME
(KMME) Program launched in North
Cotabato by DTI-Negosyo Center
and the Philippine Center for En-
trepreneurship (PCE)-Go Negosyo.
Through this program, he was able
to undergo weekly coaching ses-
sions by mentors who are renowned
business owners themselves and
are experts in their respective fields.
“Through the mentoring ses-
sions, I was able to learn about account-
ing, debit and credit, records-keeping,
and also how to increase production,”
he said. “I also learned how to in-
novate and develop my products.”
As a result of the mentoring sessions,
Jamewell was able to come up with
a Business Improvement Plan (BIP)
for Jarod’s Arts and Crafts, which was
presented to a panel of mentors and
experts who gave valuable inputs and
suggestions. The Business Plan is also
part of the pre-requisite for graduation
of the mentees in the KMME program.
Implementing what he has learned
in the said program, he employs
contractors who do the cutting, dry-
ing, and cleaning of the bamboo,
and coconut shell. He then designs,
assembles parts, and does the fin-
ishing touches. He is also looking
into purchasing more equipment
to speed up production in order to
meet the growing market demand.
Giving back to the community
Through the business, he
shares that he was able to send his
children to school and provide for the
needs of his family. Four of his five
children have finished college, and his
youngest, at only four years old, just
entered primary school. He consid-
ers this as truly a blessing from God.
Indeed, Rev. Jamewell has come
a long way in pursuing his pas-
sion og making handicrafts. Now,
he is looking to expand his market
reach to include major resorts and
pasalubong centers in the region.
NEGOSYO CENTER • Region 12
 EDITORIAL BOARD
Executive Editor

RD Ibrahim K. Guiamadel

Editor-in-Chief

ARD Dorecita T. Delima

Editorial Consultants

PD Anthony P. Bravo, DTI-North Cotabato

PD Flora P. Gabunales, DTI-South Cotabato

OIC Arnel V. Sayco, DTI-Gensan

OIC Carlito E. Nuñez, DTI-Cotabato City

OIC Felisa A. Sinobago, DTI-Sultan Kudarat

OIC Hazel E. Hautea, DTI-Sarangani

Managing Editor

DC Ethel Laksmi L. Gumana

Supervising Editors

STIDS Cheryl Marie C. Cipriano

IO Vanessa Claire T. Plena

Editor/Head Writer

BC Katrina G. Coloso

Technical Staff

BC Erica Anne C. Dulay

Contributors

S/BC Manuel G. Jayme

BC Kristina S. Ladja
S/BC Sharon Faith B. Medecilo
BC Blanz Benhur M. Zoilo
S/BC Sharmagne Joyce S. Edio
S/BC Mary Lorynail Faith S. Andrade
S/BC Regi Jan V. Vilches
BC Khenno N. Hinampas
BC Kristianne Gem C. Joquiño
BC Petsy Mae Bundoc DTI-12 Regional Office
BC Mark Nikko L. Manginsay 3rd & 4th Floors, De Luz Bldg., Corner
BC Ezra Elle A. Magbanua
BC Reanne Claudine P. Laguna Aquino St. Gensan Drive, Koronadal City,
BC Sharmela Pasion South Cotabato, Philippines
BC Donna Ross F. Rivera
BC Melvin Lampon
This is the official publication of Negosyo Center Region 12. This
will provide news and updates about Negosyo Centers all over
Graphic/Lay-out Artist Region 12 specifically the ciities of General Santos, Koronadal,
Caroline N. Aventurado Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato, and the provinces of
Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato.
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