The Department of Trade and Industry Region 4-A, in partnership with the Regional MSME Development Council, Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED), Negosyo Center (NC) Project Management Unit, Office of the Governor- Province of Laguna, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-South Luzon, PCCI Laguna, and SB Corporation, will conduct the 5th Regional MSME Development Council (RMSMEDC) Conference to launch the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP): Harnessing Our Own Resources for the Advancement of Youth (YEP-HOORAY) and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 2019-2023 signing between the DTI 4-A and PCCI South Luzon for the Shifting from Government-Led to Private Sector-Led Advocacy on Ethical Business Practices on 26 September 2019 at the Cultural Center of Laguna in Sta. Cruz.

The YEP is a nationwide program to help young Filipinos develop their entrepreneurial skills by offering them a comprehensive package of interventions. It supports the government’s growth agenda of doubling the number of entrepreneurs in the country by 2022, which will in turn, broaden the gains of economic development, address inequality, and uplift the quality of life of Filipinos, particularly the youth.

Taking off from the YEP launching held at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City on 27 June 2019, the DTI 4-A is looking into inviting 350 participants, majority of which are aspiring and existing entrepreneurs aged 18-30, those who are Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET), in school youth, youth organizations, and youth with disabilities from all over the region, along with the members of the Regional and Provincial MSME Development Councils, Industry Cluster Leaders, Development Agency-Partners, Banks and Financing Institutions, the academe, NGOs, and NGAs.

“The CALABARZON MSME Development Council is engaging stakeholders and support sectors to highlight YEP to promote youth entrepreneurship development in the country. The program aims to serve as an avenue to inspire and capacitate young people to become smarter and competitive entrepreneurs,” said DTI Region 4-A Director and Regional MSME Development Council President Marilou Q. Toledo.

Moreover, the MOU 2019-2023 on the partnership of the DTI 4-A with the PCCI is set to transpire to take effect the change from government-led to stakeholder-led advocacy and to conduct consumer advocacy activities, especially in promoting ethical business practice consistent with the pertinent provisions of RA7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.♦

Date of Release: 18 September 2019