The second batch of 2021 Kapatid Mentor ME-Money Market Encounter (KMME-MME) Online Cordillera Youth Edition was launched last 28 June 2021 on a blended online and physical interactive platform and with 65 participants coming from the provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
Department of Trade and Industry-CAR (DTI-CAR) OIC Regional Director (RD) Juliet P. Lucas said, “The DTI desires creation of creative, innovative and adaptive businesses and industries that are sustainable with efficient and tested management strategies. We are talking about industries that have been long thriving in the region, but with a touch of the young generation—their creativity, their innovative drive, fused with the wisdom from our seasoned businessmen to produce improved and sustainable businesses.” She also likened the training as a mini masteral course that trains mentees to improve their business plans and to come up with an improved strategy.
DTI-Regional Operations Group (ROG) Undersecretary (Usec.) Blesila A. Lantayona also congratulated DTI-CAR for positioning the youth at the forefront of the regional development efforts.
The second batch of the KMME-MME Project of CAR composed of 10 youths from Abra, nine (9) from Apayao, seven (7) from Baguio City, nine (9) from Benguet, nine (9) from Ifugao, 14 from Kalinga, and seven (7) from the Mountain Province. The mentees come from various sectors including food manufacturing/processing, food (café, restaurant, carinderia, kiosk), agriculture, gifts/décor and housewares, wearables, and the service sector.
The program is an initiative of the DTI and the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) to help the country’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through capacity-building activities and inspire them to adopt smarter business strategies. After their mentorship from top-caliber entrepreneurs and seasoned industry players, graduates of the KMME-MME are expected to achieve better access credits from banks and other financing providers, improved personnel management, and better marketing skills.
The program includes 10 modules, which will culminate with each participant’s Business Improvement Plan presentation to a panel of coaches where they will be asked about their knowledge on the market, their revenue streams, unique value proposition, and vision for their enterprise.
As of 23 July 2021, a total of 27 mentoring runs have been conducted with a total of 632 graduates. The program has already assisted a total of 3,254 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region. ♦
Date of Release: 2 August 2021