The Department of Trade and Industry, in partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), launched the “KAPATID Mentor Me Program (KMME)” Batch 2 in the province of Cavite at the 3rd floor Revilla Hall, Bacoor Government Center Building, Bacoor, Cavite.

“We are happy to bring Mentor Me in Cavite for the second time. We started 2017 with the goal of rolling out KMME in 89 provinces and cities. For this year, this is the 65th run of KMME all over the country,” said DTI Regional Operations Group Assistant Secretary Blesila A. Lantayona.

Cavite is the fourth province in CALABARZON to roll-out the KMME this year and the second time in the program after its first successful launching in Imus last year.

Launch of Kapatid Mentor ME in Cavite. In attendance were Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, Assistant Secretary Blesila Lantayona and Cavite Governor Lani Mercado.

“The Local Government will not make it without the business sector. The existence of every entrepreneur is significant not just in our town but also in our country. We are very thankful to DTI for their noteworthy programs that are helping our micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs),” said Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla.

Mentor Me, one of the components of the Project KAPATID, aims to help the micro and small entrepreneurs scale up their enterprises, spur economic activity, and generate employment opportunities. The program brings together experts and industry leaders who will provide a series of free mentoring sessions on aspects of entrepreneurship.

“The government has been very active in helping our MSMEs, giving as many resources and support as we can. Thus, we encourage the mentees to work hard and attend all sessions because we assure you that the program will help you scale up your business through applying the things you will be learning,” said DTI CALABARZON Director Marilou Q. Toledo.

The Mentor Me in Cavite is expected to run from July to September. The remaining 10 modules will be about product development, operations management, accounting, taxation, finance, obligations and contracts, human resource management, supply and value chain, succession planning, and business plan development.

“Having a business is not just about earning money. It is also a fulfillment. If you are happy with your business, then it’s the right business for you,” said DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.

The program included the discussion on Module 1: Entrepreneurial Mind-setting and Values Formation by Armand Bengco, Executive Director of Colayco Foundation for Education, and Module 2: Marketing by Eric Caeg, President of RAP Training Services, followed by inspiring success stories of Virginia Angeles, owner of Ocean Fresh Tahong Chips, Almie Rose Hernandez, owner of Mang Jose Rolling Kitchen, and Isabel Punzalan, General Manager of Delfa’s Food Products, Inc.

The event was attended by the Municipal Councilors of Bacoor, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Science and Technology, Provincial Cooperative, Livelihood, and Entrepreneurial Development Office, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Cavite Coopreneurs Surety Fund, Inter Asia Development Bank, Land Bank of the Philippines, Lasallian Community Development Center, among others. 

Laguna will soon roll-out its Mentor Me Program on July 18, the last KMME for this year in the CALABARZON region.