General Santos City – To further capacitate the young entrepreneurs of the city and encourage more youth to engage in entrepreneurship, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) General Santos City Satellite Office in collaboration with the Local Government Unit of General Santos City through its Youth Affairs and Development Division and the Sanggunian Kabataan (SK) Federation of GSC, successfully opened the 2nd Young Entrepreneurship Boot Camp 2022 on 26 April 2022 at SM City Activity Center, General Santos City.
With the theme “The Startup Invasion”, the activity was attended by around 150 participants comprising of existing and aspiring young entrepreneurs of the city.
City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, represented by Councilor Jonathan Blando, and Congresswoman Shirlyn Banas-Nograles gave their warm welcome to the participants and guests and expressed their support to the program which encourages the youth to venture on entrepreneurship. Regional Director Jude Constantine S. Jaugan of DTI Region 12 also delivered his message of support and introduced the keynote speaker, Usec. Blesila A. Lantayona, DTI Undersecretary for Regional Operations Group.
Usec. Blesila A. Lantayona commends the city for conducting the activity with the intention of taking the youth in the front and center of its socio-economic development. She added that indeed there is a need to create a supportive innovation ecosystem for the youth, considered as the hope of the country’s future. Together with the different agencies of government and other organizations, the youth will be able to harness their energy and potentials towards entrepreneurship.
She ended with this message to the youth: “Anyone of you can be the next business tycoon. You have the power to turn your dreams into reality. We, the enablers, are here to provide the guidance and opportunity that you need.”
The ceremony also featured a storytelling and sharing of experiences with young entrepreneurs Joyce Anne Mondejar, owner of JKN Frozen Food Products, Mitch Otsuru-Park, Director of Young Entrepreneurs of Pampanga, and Aira Medina, also an entrepreneur and member of the said organization. They shared their journey towards having a successful business and gave insights to help and encourage the youth in pursuing business.
Along with the opening ceremony was a ribbon-cutting of the Gensan Young Entrepreneurs Gallery Exhibit that featured 16 emerging young entrepreneurs of the city. The exhibit showcased the different businesses managed by young entrepreneurs. ♦
Date of Release: 24 May 2022