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The right to social security of the workers in the informal economy/ sector
The programs for the informal sector include: Negosyo Center, Youth Entrepreneurship
Program, Global MSME Academy, Reboot Package for Online Enterprises, Shared Service
Facilities (SSF), Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay, Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa,
One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines, Diskwento Caravan, Buy Local! Go Lokal!,
Bagsakan Special Project, Virtual National Trade Fair, and Libreng Mask para sa Masa.
The DTI is implementing Republic Act No. 10544, otherwise known as the Go Negosyo
Act, which mandates the establishment of “Negosyo Centers” in all provinces, cities, and
municipalities nationwide.85 The Negosyo Center Program is responsible for promoting ease
of doing business and facilitating access to services for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs). The services that NCs provide include business registration assistance, business
advisory services, business information, and advocacy as well as access to market linkages. As
of 31 March 2021, DTI has launched a total of 1, 176 Negosyo Centers. 86 In response to the
COVID-19 pandemic, DTI has also launched the Negosyo Center Online Portal on 01 June
2021 to capacitate and assist MSMEs in transitioning into the digital platform and address the
mobility concerns of entrepreneurs.87
Another program is the Youth Entrepreneurship Program pursuant to Republic Act No.
1067988, which mandates the DTI and the MSME Development Council to implement a
national program to promote youth entrepreneurship development. This program aspires to
help youth develop their entrepreneurial skills by offering them a comprehensive package of
interventions.89 ASec. Tolentino shared that as of 31 December 2021, they have 17,049 youth
beneficiaries, 282 local cooperators engaged, and 574 youth organizations established or youth
joined business organizations.
The establishment of the Global MSME Academy, on the other hand, aims for local
MSMEs to become globally competitive. As of the end of March 2021, there are 4,242
registered users and 4,456 active users completing courses.90
Republic Act No. 10644 otherwise known as “An Act Promoting Job Generation and Inclusive Growth
Through the Development Of Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises”
86 Consultation with the representatives of the national government agencies, supra note 40.
87 Department of Trade and Industry, available at
https://dtinegosyocenter.online/news/negosyocenter-goes-online (last accessed 2 September 2021)
88 Republic Act No. 10679 otherwise known as “An Act Promoting Entrepreneurship and Financial
Education Among Filipino Youth”
89 https://dtiwebfiles.s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/e-library/Starting+a+Business/YEP+Flyer.pdf
(last accessed 2 September 2021)
90 Consultation with the representatives of the national government agencies, supra note 40.
85