Negosyo Center - Balbalan

21/05/2026

12/05/2026

📣 DTI-Kalinga Diskwento Caravan Returns!
In continued response to the ongoing energy emergency, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Kalinga, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture through KADIWA ni Ani at Kita, will conduct another Diskwento Caravan on May 18, 2026.

🛒 Enjoy discounted grocery items and fresh vegetable produce—making quality and affordable essentials more accessible to our kababayans.

This initiative aims to help ease the financial burden of households by bringing basic necessities and agri-products closer to the community at reduced prices.

11/05/2026

DTI Kalinga, through the OTOP Next Gen Program, successfully conducted the 3-Day Training on “Material Mix and Match: Integrating Kalinga Weave and Natural Materials for Sustainable Bag Design” last May 6–8, 2026 at the DTI-Kalinga Provincial Office, with fifteen (15) MSMEs from the Wearables and Homestyle sectors actively participating.

During Days 1 and 2, Ms. Edna Bautista-Norial of Love Nature Farm introduced participants to the intricate process of cacao leaves fossilization - from leaf selection and cleaning, leaf dyeing, drying and pressing, proper gluing techniques, to varnishing — transforming cacao leaves into elegant, handcrafted creations. At the end of Day 2, participants produced fossilized cacao wall frames, wall decor, lamps, and fashion accessories that highlighted both creativity and sustainability.

On Day 3, Ms. Jajie Bula-ay of Jajie’s Native Fashion shared her expertise in sustainable bag design by combining fossilized cacao leaves with the Kalinga textile, resulting in unique and innovative handcrafted bags. The combination of cacao leaves and woven accents creates a unique eco-friendly fashion piece inspired by nature and local craftsmanship. The use of cacao leaves as material demonstrated how agricultural by-products can be transformed into high-value handcrafted products, opening opportunities for MSMEs to develop eco-friendly and market-driven innovations while promoting environmental sustainability, resourcefulness, and the appreciation of locally available materials.

This initiative reflects DTI Kalinga’s continued commitment to empowering local MSMEs, preserving indigenous craftsmanship, and promoting sustainable and innovative product development rooted in culture and creativity.

11/05/2026

📣 ANNOUNCEMENT: TESDA SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY UNDER PESFA! 🎓
Good news to all aspiring learners!
We are now accepting ENROLEES for COFFEE PRODUCTION LEVEL II under the Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA).

📌 Benefits of the PESFA Scholarship:
✅ Free tuition and training fees
✅ Training support fund (daily allowance)
✅ Book allowance

Eligibility Requirements:
✔️ Must be a Filipino citizen
✔️ At least high school graduate/completer
✔️ With a monthly family income not exceeding Php300,000.00
✔️ Willing to undergo full-time training

Entry Requirements:
✔️ Photocopy of PSA/NSO Birth certificate photocopy (A4 size)
✔️ Photocopy of PSA/NSO Marriage Contract (If married) photocopy (A4 size)
✔️ 3 pcs. Passport size ID picture (white background, wearing t-shirt/blouse with collar, NO NAMETAG)
✔️ 1 pc 1x1 ID picture
✔️ Photocopy of TOR/Form 137-A/Form 138 photocopy (A4 size)
✔️ 1 pc. long brown envelope

📝 How to Apply:
Interested applicants may visit our office or send us a message for more details.
📍 Location: QRS Farms, Bantay, Tabuk City, Kalinga (across Bayle Baker/Surplus)
📞 Contact: Kape-aralan Training Institute Inc.

Don't miss this chance to train, certify, and work through TESDA PESFA!
Apply now and build your future today!

07/05/2026

MSMEs Introduced to the Power of Artificial Intelligence in Business 📱📈

On April 10, 2026, with the assistance of Negosyo Center Balbalan, the International Labour Organization (ILO) conducted an interview session with selected MSMEs from Poblacion, Balbalan and Cabaruan, Tabuk City to demonstrate how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support business development and decision-making.

Mr. Hideki Kagohashi of the ILO facilitated the interview with Ms. Freda Lanipao, owner of Freedda's Cakes and Catering, and Mr. Reymar Omeccas, owner of H & H Farm Products Manufacturing. During the activity, Mr. Kagohashi showcased how AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, can provide practical business recommendations similar to the guidance offered by business counsellors, helping entrepreneurs analyze challenges, explore opportunities, and improve decision-making.

Mr. Kagohashi also demonstrated various AI features, including “deep research” capabilities that allow AI platforms to generate more in-depth responses based on credible and verifiable sources. In addition, he emphasized the importance of validating AI-generated information and discussed the possible risks of overreliance on AI technologies. Participants were reminded that AI should serve as a support tool and not a replacement for human judgment, experience, and proper verification.

To further highlight the accessibility of AI, Mr. Kagohashi demonstrated the use of AI-powered translation tools during the interview, allowing smooth communication despite the interviewees speaking in local languages.

The presence of the Negosyo Center Business Counsellor during the activity helped validate the practicality of AI-generated recommendations and provided additional insights from the perspective of an actual business counsellor.

As part of the Digital Pinas Joint Programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), this initiative showcased the potential of AI as a valuable tool for MSMEs and encouraged entrepreneurs to responsibly integrate AI into their business operations and growth strategies. As AI continues to evolve, initiatives like this help ensure that local MSMEs are not left behind in the growing digital economy.

17/04/2026

𝐂𝐓𝐂𝐊𝐀𝐏𝐈 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐀𝐙𝐀𝐀𝐑 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞! 🛍️☀️

📅 Date: April 18 to May 2
📍 Location: In front of Saint Tonis College

Discover exciting products, local finds, and summer must-haves at the bazaar!

‼️𝐅𝐄𝐖 𝐒𝐋𝐎𝐓𝐒 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 for Exhibitors
📞Contact Ms. Michelle Pinated at 09266989880.

17/04/2026

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Kalinga, through the Negosyo Center Balbalan, conducted a training on banana chips and banana vinegar processing on April 13, 2026, at the Barangay Hall of Tawang, Balbalan. The activity aimed to capacitate MSMEs and aspiring MSMEs by equipping them with practical knowledge and skills in value-adding local produce.

A total of 25 participants from the locality actively engaged in hands-on learning, covering key processes such as the preparation, chopping, frying, and flavoring of banana chips, as well as the step-by-step production of banana vinegar—from peeling to proper storage for fermentation. The session on banana chips was facilitated by Ms. Glecy Grace M. Duguiawe, NC-TIDS, while the banana vinegar processing was conducted by Mr. Junefri B. Macaranas, TIDS. Discussions on product costing and pricing were also incorporated to help participants maximize profitability and ensure business sustainability.

Beyond technical skills, DTI provided support through ongoing mentoring, strategic market linkages, and guidance on packaging and the development of professional product labels to enhance market competitiveness.

The participants also expressed interest in organizing themselves into an association to initiate the production and marketing of banana chips and banana vinegar, reflecting strong potential for collaboration and enterprise development within the community.

DTI extends its sincere appreciation to the Barangay Local Government Unit of Tawang for their support and for allowing the use of the Barangay Hall as the training venue.

This initiative highlights DTI’s continued commitment to creating economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs by tapping into the abundant banana resources in the locality and transforming them into high-value products.

17/04/2026

📣 DISKWENTO CARAVAN PARA SA MAMAMAYAN! 📣

Sa gitna ng patuloy na hamon dulot ng pagtaas ng presyo ng fuel, hatid namin ang Diskwento Caravan upang maibsan ang gastusin ng bawat pamilya.

🗓 April 21, 2026
📍 DTI Kalinga, Dagupan, Tabuk City

✅ Abot-kayang Basic Necessities at Prime Commodities
✅ Sigurado at de-kalidad na produkto
✅ Presyong makatao para sa lahat

Tara na at samantalahin ang mga produktong may diskwento, lalo na sa panahon na kailangan natin ng pagtutulungan.
📌 Sabay-sabay nating tugunan ang krisis—para sa kapakanan ng mamimiling Pilipino.

15/04/2026

The Department of Trade and Industry - Kalinga, through the Negosyo Center Balbalan, ignited the potential of MSMEs and aspiring MSMEs through a dynamic training held in Tawang, Balbalan. This specialized program focused on tapping into the Barangay’s abundant banana resources. Participants, both MSMEs and aspiring MSMEs, learned to produce premium banana chips and banana vinegar. Beyond the hands-on skills, the training added real value to their local produce, opening new income opportunities.

The DTI-Kalinga also provided ongoing mentoring, strategic market linkages, and practical support in packaging design and professional labels. With these resources, MSMEs are now ready to stand out, reach new markets, and build lasting success.

14/04/2026

Just concluded the exciting 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞 7 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 today, April 14, 2026!

KMME Mentees strengthened their financial management skills through an insightful and highly engaging session with 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐲. 𝐊𝐢𝐦 𝐀𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐬. The discussion centered on essential business tools such as 𝙗𝙪𝙙𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 —emphasizing practical strategies like separating personal and business finances, preparing realistic expense budgets, and regularly analyzing financial gaps to improve decision-making and profitability.

Mentees also gained a deeper understanding of core accounting concepts, including proper record-keeping systems, cost classification, and the importance of determining the break-even point for business sustainability. The session further highlighted how to properly read and interpret key financial statements such as the balance sheet and income statement, enabling mentees to better assess business performance and make informed financial decisions.

The learning experience ended on a high note with an interactive quiz that made the session both engaging and meaningful!