The Department of Trade and Industry is set to launch the third of the seven Negosyo Center Plus at the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Campus in Cebu City on June 9, 2016.
The Negosyo Center Plus is a Negosyo Center with Fabrication Laboratory and Co-Working space. It is the second to the Bohol Fablab and first with the Negosyo Center Fablab Co-working Space tag in the Visayas.
DTI Supervising Undersecretary for Regional Operations Group (DTI-ROG) Zenaida Maglaya said that the Negosyo Center with Fablab Co-working Space launching is a milestone for the Department after unveiling the first two in Santiago City and Ilocos Sur. The DTI is also set to open four more Negosyo Center with Fablab Co-working Spaces in Tacloban City (Eastern Visayas State University) on June 21, Bicol (Bicol University Compound) on June 23, National Capital Region (CITC Marikina; University of the Philippines – Diliman) on September 14, and in Zamboanga City (Zamboanga State Ploytechnic College) on October 7.
“The Negosyo Center Plus is a huge lift to our micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These Negosyo Center with Fablabs and Co-Working Spaces are strategically located for innovation and creativity in the industry, particularly for use by students, start-ups and micro and small enterprises,” Maglaya said.
The Negosyo Center Plus UP Cebu is the first DTI-supported FabLab in Cebu. The DTI funded six (6) equipment worth Php 5.375 million under its Shared Service Facility (SSF) program to provide technical assistance and capacity building for the FabLab’s management and operations.
The Negosyo Center Plus UP Cebu provides a creative space for designers, creatives, entrepreneurs, students and the general public to test out their ideas and turn them into products using digital fabrication equipment. Available equipment at the Negosyo Center Plus UP Cebu are 3D Printer, Laser Cutter, Printer and Cutter, Desktop Vinyl Cutter, CNC Router and Benchtop Milling Machine.
“The Negosyo Center Plus is the window for MSMEs, students, entrepreneurs and creative individuals to avail of new prototyping technologies and software in designing and manufacturing products to match the market competition,” Maglaya added.
The DTI launched the country’s first FabLab Shared Service Facility (SSF) in Bohol in 2014. The Bohol Fablab, located at the Bohol Island State University, has helped the entrepreneurs in the island to produce travel retail products in short runs, prototype furniture and even a working “printed” house as part of the post-earthquake recovery program of the province . The Bohol Fablab is funded by the DTI, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Bohol Island State University (BISU), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The Negosyo Center is a salient feature of Republic Act No. 10644, otherwise known as “Go Negosyo Act,” which seeks to strengthen MSMEs to create more job opportunities in the country. On the other hand, a Co-working Space (CWS) is an open space that the public can rent for a very flexible period using common area office fixtures, internet, and other common office services, while the FabLab offers the digital fabrication equipment where people can build, design and engineer ideas into products.