The Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), officers led by President Edward Du and Executive Director John Jalandoni, recently participated in a PRDP Business Model workshop aimed at strengthening local business strategies.
During the event, President Du delivered an inspirational message to the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) RPCO 7 that seeks to benefit the Negros Oriental Highland Vegetable Farmers, Native Chicken Growers, and other NOCCI-PRDP partners. The workshop allowed participants to explore innovative business models that can support sustainable agriculture and local production in the region.
President Du emphasized NOCCI’s commitment to fostering collaboration between various sectors, aiming to strengthen the agricultural and agribusiness sectors in Negros Oriental. With such partnerships, NOCCI continues to contribute to the province’s economic growth and development.
NOCCI Leads Business Model Workshop to Boost Agribusiness in Negros Oriental
The Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), led by President Edward Du and Executive Director John Jalandoni, recently participated in a pivotal Business Model Workshop designed to empower local stakeholders with the tools and strategies needed to elevate the province’s agribusiness landscape.
The workshop, organized in partnership with the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Regional Project Coordination Office 7 (RPCO 7), served as a platform for advancing rural economic transformation. It gathered participants from various agricultural sectors, including highland vegetable farmers, native chicken growers, and other NOCCI-PRDP partner groups.
President Du delivered an inspirational keynote during the event, emphasizing the importance of inclusive and forward-thinking economic planning in agricultural communities. “We must continuously seek out innovative solutions to enhance the livelihoods of our farmers and agri-entrepreneurs. These are the people who form the backbone of our food systems and local economy,” Du stated.
The workshop introduced participants to modern business modeling techniques, equipping them with practical tools to rethink traditional approaches and adopt more scalable, sustainable practices. Through case studies, breakout sessions, and expert-led discussions, attendees explored how structured innovation can improve production efficiency, market access, and long-term profitability.
Executive Director Jalandoni reinforced NOCCI’s commitment to driving value creation across the agri-value chain, from production to processing and distribution. “It’s about re-imagining what agribusiness can be,” Jalandoni explained. “By guiding our local stakeholders through tested business models, we ensure that even small-scale farmers and producers can benefit from market opportunities and technology.”
One of the key themes of the workshop was the promotion of collaborative models that bring together farming communities, cooperatives, business support organizations, and government agencies. The goal is to create synergy and minimize fragmentation in the agricultural ecosystem. By working together, stakeholders can address shared challenges such as financing, infrastructure gaps, logistics, and price volatility.
The PRDP, supported by the Department of Agriculture and funded by international development partners, has been instrumental in enhancing rural enterprise development across the Philippines. Its partnership with NOCCI in this workshop signals a strong private sector alignment with national rural development goals.
Through its active involvement, NOCCI reaffirmed its role not just as a business chamber but as a key catalyst for inclusive growth. President Du emphasized that economic growth in Negros Oriental must be broad-based, and that rural communities must be included in the province’s prosperity story. “Our role as a chamber is to bridge knowledge, networks, and capital. We are committed to ensuring that the benefits of progress are widely shared,” he said.
A major highlight of the workshop was the exploration of agribusiness clusters, a strategy that allows farmers and producers to pool resources and achieve economies of scale. Participants also learned about customer-centric product development, supply chain management, and innovative financing options tailored for rural enterprises.
These concepts are expected to support a transition from subsistence-based agriculture to more market-responsive and resilient enterprises. The integration of these strategies into community-based projects aims to increase income stability and food security in the region.
NOCCI’s ongoing advocacy for innovation in business models is aligned with its broader economic development agenda. The chamber continues to seek ways to create enabling environments where entrepreneurship can thrive—especially in sectors like agriculture, which remain vital to the province’s identity and sustainability.
With the momentum gained from the workshop, NOCCI and its partners plan to conduct follow-up sessions to support the implementation of business models at the grassroots level. Technical assistance, market linkage support, and monitoring mechanisms are in development to ensure that workshop insights lead to measurable outcomes.
As Negros Oriental navigates a dynamic economic landscape, the convergence of government programs and private sector initiatives represents a strategic advantage. NOCCI’s leadership in fostering knowledge sharing and innovation puts the province in a stronger position to achieve its development goals while empowering its rural communities.
This recent initiative underscores the chamber’s mission: building a resilient, competitive, and inclusive economy through collaboration and enterprise.
