DTI-CAR pilots NERBAC in Abra

by Maritess Beñas

Bangued, Abra (12 December) — The National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) will be piloted in this province.

The NERBAC-Abra the first to be implemented in the Cordilleras, was launched on December 11, 2009 at the PARTUAT ti Abra Trade Center located at the Bangued Town Plaza.

Department of Trade and Industry Regional Director Myrna P. Pablo and Assistant Regional Director Carmelita C. Usman graced the affair.

Arell Bañez, DTI-Abra Provincial Caretaker reported that the NERBAC had been implemented in the bigger cities of Davao and Cebu right after the signing of Republic Act 7470, an act establishing the NERBAC of the Philippines on April 29, 1992. Since it was proven successful, the DTI is now bringing it in Northern Luzon to prime up the economy here.

The NERBAC is created to support the policy of the government to enhance economic growth by providing necessary and strategic economic and business information and research assistance thereby expediting the process of business formation and encouraging the growth of entrepreneurship in the country.

The Center shall be manned by representatives of government agencies with regulatory functions so that the businessmen need not waste time going around in various offices that they need to transact with.

Under the regulatory aspect, the center shall organize a one-stop shop of services or assistance center that shall expedite the processing of all government requirements necessary in establishing a business. Member agencies with regulatory function like the Social Security System, PhilHealth, Bureau of Internal Revenue and the like will all be in the Center to help the entrepreneurs.

On the investment aspect, the member-agencies shall provide information to prospective investors, both local and foreign, on the different kinds of business opportunities that are in accord with set investment priorities of the government; to establish an updated data bank of all industries and business enterprise; and to prepare pre-feasibility studies of existing as well as possible industries in the area that can help entrepreneurs decide on what business to venture into.

The Center shall also conduct monitoring of technological advances relevant to business and economy for dissemination to the general public. It likewise formulates and coordinates the conduct of relevant research projects as well as monitor and collate economic, technical and industry research output of all agencies that have reference to business enterprises and to investors in the area with focus on the utilization and how to harness the indigenous resources and technology that are required for our development initiatives.

On the same occasion, the DTI also launched the One Town One Product (OTOP) brochure, “Distinctively Abra” which showcases the OTOP products, tourist destinations and investment potentials in the province. The production of the OTOP brochure was funded by the Provincial Government of Abra.

Meanwhile, Abra’s participation in the IMPAKABSAT, a regional trade fair conducted by the DTI at the SM Mega Mall in Mandaluyong City on December 2 – 6, 2009, was something to boost off. Abra garnered the highest sales among the Cordillera provinces which reached almost P11 Million in cash and book sale.

OTOP Regional Winner Carlo Balneg, was able to close an order of bamboocraft products worth of P1.4M. Said amount will be a great help to the micro entrepreneurs in the province and an opportunity for more exposures in the export market. (PIA-Abra)