Koronadal City, South Cotabato (22 September 2022) – The Department of Trade and Industry 12 (DTI-12) has declared graduate a total of 54 entrepreneurs from Region 12 in its 2022 Kapatid Mentor Micro Entrepreneurs – Money Market Encounter (KMME-MME) Batch 2 Online Program.
The KMME-MME Online is an upgraded program of DTI with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) – Go Negosyo that aims to assist micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in scaling up their business through a series of lectures, coaching, and mentoring sessions with reputable partners and industry practitioners.
To graduate from the program, enrolled MSMEs need to complete the 10-module sessions and successfully develop and defend their Business Improvement Plans (BIP) to the panel of industry experts representing the government, digital market, and financial institutions.
In her welcome message which was read by DTI Sultan Kudarat Provincial Director Felisa Sinobago, DTI-12 OIC Regional Director Flora Politud-Gabunales
challenged the graduates to be brave and use their learning in growing their business as well as in helping also other MSMEs.
“As I welcome you to today’s graduation ceremony, may I challenge you to be brave. Let your desire to succeed be greater than your fear of failure. But more importantly, may I invite you to be our active partners in inspiring others to go into business and be an agent for social and economic development,” said Politud-Gabunales.
Joey Concepcion, the founder of the Go Negosyo, sent also a congratulatory message to the new set of KMME-MME graduates and emphasized their key role in nation-building.
“We’ve been all challenged by the pandemic, but despite the pandemic, we continued the KMME Program. It is important for us to bring greater inclusivity to the economy. As entrepreneurs, you have seen your role in nation building,” said Concepcion.
Now in its seventh year, the program has produced 549 mentee graduates in Region 12 with businesses ranging from food processing, homestyle and wearables, and services.
DTI-12 awarded mentees who have garnered the highest score on the panel evaluation during the BIP plan presentation sessions. The Best BIP Presentation Awards were given to the following: Ronald B. Padojinog of Glam Shots Creations Events Mgt. Services (North Cotabato), Josue M. Carmen of SOX Peppers (South Cotabato), Gloria Baquiran-Rule of Vanilla Bean Cakes and Pastries (Sultan Kudarat), Josephine Ferolino of Arts and Cakes Pastry Shop (Sarangani), and Paul Heintjie C. Lao of HKC Food Hub (General Santos City).
After graduation, DTI through its Negosyo Center business counselors will monitor and assist the mentee-graduates in the execution of their respective plans.♦
Date of Release: 23 September 2022