Negosyo Festival, keeping business more fun in the city

True to its theme, “More Business. More Fun.”, the City of Koronadal held an 8-day business-oriented and fun-filled celebration of its 12^th Charter Anniversary & 2^nd Negosyo Festival which concluded on October 8, 2012.  

Mayor Peter B. Miguel had always been enthusiastic in keeping business more alive, more vibrant and more fun in the city through various activities and programs ranging from trade fairs and exhibits, business forum, business awards night, nightly food and drink fests with celebrity performers, and the launch of Siok Falls at B/Mabini as an Eco-tourism destination in the city.

Guest speaker DTI Regional Director Ibrahim K. Guiamadel in his message during the Opening Ceremony recognized Koronadal as a fast developing growth center continuously proving its economic potentials conducive for trade and industry by the increasing number of business names registered with the DTI.

Highlighted the Opening Ceremony was the City of Koronadal being awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping by Provincial Director Josephine C. Leysa which award recognizes the LGU for its commendable performance to uphold the principles of accountability and transparency for good governance.

“Koronadal strives…of becoming the center of trade and industry in South Central Mindanao”, Mayor Miguel said in his opening message noting the fact that much had been happening in Koronadal where  fast economic growth and abounding business opportunities were concerned with new infrastructures sprouting almost everyday and new entrepreneurs from other places bringing huge investments in the city.

Further, by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 493, the Cooperative Month celebration was also and important part of the weeklong celebration. Also during the same Opening Ceremony, Ms. Sherlita Jacob, representative of CDA Regional Director Watanabe L. Roales shared information on how and why October was declared the Cooperative Month by the cooperative movement.

Meanwhile, to offer businesses the chance to exhibit, network and create business opportunities, the festival featured the Eco Industrial Tourism and Trade Expo at Gaisano Grand Mall. It was participated in by the motorcycle and car industry, one-town-one-product suppliers, appliance centers, airlines/travel agencies, tourism/hotel/resorts/inn owners and agri-products and machineries providers. In the duration of the exhibit, each exhibitor treated the booth visitors to a day of fun and pampering through games and surprises with lots of take home freebies.

Moreover, the Koronadal Grand Bazaar served as venue for small businesses to promote and sell their products within the thoroughfares of Jaycees Avenue and SMRAA Complex front.

New business ideas and essential business strategies were imparted to more than 90 participants of the Negosyo Forum. Starting a profitable business, entrepreneurial mindset, surviving pitfalls of business, business opportunities, and economic impact on bamboo industry were among the topics given by lecturers from DTI Region XII.

During the Prosperous Business for the Masses or PBM’s Night, awards were conferred to the following; for the Year 2011 Developing Cooperatives title, awards were given to Joint Ventures for the medium coop category, KCES 1 Teachers Coop for the small coop category and to New Marbel Muti-Purpose Coop for the micro coop category. For the Outstanding Farmers Association, awardees were: Caloocan 4-H Club, Sto.Nino Organic Farmers Association, Paradise Organic Farm and Cordero Farm. The title for the Outstanding Business Taxpayers 2011 and Outstanding Real Property Taxpayers 2011 were awarded to (4) four outstanding corporations and single proprietorship businesses with the highest business tax paid, prompt in their payment and with no arrears. For the Outstanding Real Business Taxpayers, awards went to RMN Center for Single Proprietorship, EMCOR for Coporate, Ms.Lydia Fabra in the field of residential/agriculture and Ms.Lucena Del Rosario for the Commercial/Industrial category.

To top the festival, for the whole month of October as the Grand Sale Month, majority of big commercial centers and SMEs offered their goods and services even up to 70% off the tag price.

Koronadal, driven by its recent award as finalist to the 2012 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, aims to rise above global challenges in its pursuit to build business, facilitate trade and investments while equally working for a healthy environment and the safety and security of its people.

By: Carol M.