The Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (LEDIPO) in Victorias, Negros Occidental organized the city’s 1st Business Clinic at the Don Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña Arts and Cultural Center June 4, to address the critical funding and financial literacy gaps facing local entrepreneurs.
The event, on the theme “Rising Strong: Financing MSMEs for Recovery and Growth”, gathered 151 MSMEs, registered PESO and PWD associations, social livelihood beneficiaries, cooperatives, and returning OFWs.
It was aimed at strengthening the local economic ecosystem by directly connecting business owners with accessible credit facilities, fostering responsible financial management, and encouraging local investment, the city said, adding the clinic provided direct avenues for professional consultation to help improve and scale up MSME operations.
Councilor Jappy Cuaycong emphasized the importance of supporting the local business sector, noting that the clinic was specifically designed to help MSMEs recover from the economic crises.
He also introduced the concept of a circular economy, and encouraged participants to adopt sustainable business practices that maximize resources and reduce waste to build long-term economic resilience.
Throughout the morning and afternoon sessions, entrepreneurs gained direct access to key financial institutions. Lending insights were shared by Rojan Tubungan of the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.), Grezel Bantinganan and Precious Ledi Mae Espolong of Landbank Victorias and the North Negros Lending Center, Brenda Santiago of China Bank Savings, Claudine Cabahug of Dungganon Bank, and Fermin Jalandoni Jr. of BPI BanKo.
LEDIPO head Paolo Valladarez, representing Mayor Abelardo Bantug III, opened the forum, alongside Cuaycong and DTI’s Trade and Industry Development analyst Kristel Laudenorio, who represented provincial director Lynna Joy Cardinal.
Valladarez thanked the financial partners and emphasized that the ultimate goal of the initiative was to give Victoriasanon entrepreneurs varied options and wider access to financial and lending institutions, which can infuse additional capital to their respective businesses, if necessary, to ensure the latter’s continuous operation and development.
The activity concluded with personalized, one-on-one coaching sessions, allowing participants to secure immediate, practical guidance for their business expansion and recovery, the city said. ||
