Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 officially launched the first youth sector batch of the Kapatid Mentor ME-Money Market Encounter (KMME-MME) Online Program with 57 enrolled young entrepreneurs.

KMME is an initiative of DTI and Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) that optimizes weekly face-to-face interactions between the mentors and the mentees with the key goal of boosting the entrepreneurial capacity through improved access to Mentorship, Money & Market (i.e., the 3Ms).

The program shifted to a virtual platform to continue its mentoring sessions despite the ongoing pandemic.

The young mentee-entrepreneurs are expected to present a Business Improvement Plan (BIP) after undergoing the free 10-module program.

In his welcome message, DTI-10 Regional Director Ermedio J. Abang expressed his support to the second batch for 2022 and the first batch focusing on youth entrepreneurs.

“This aligns with our Youth Entrepreneurship Program or YEP, which is a focused program to address the young demographics of the country to become productive individuals through entrepreneurship.” said RD Abang.

“We are looking forward to see you all—our 57 youth mentees conquer challenges, surpass limits, and gain success through the KMME-MME Program.”

DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona also gave her support by encouraging the mentee-entrepreneurs to apply their learnings in KMME in running their businesses.

“Kahit na nakagraduate kayo sa KMME, nandito pa rin ang DTI at ang PCE-Go Negosyo para tumulong sa inyo.” Usec. Lantayona said.

“On the part of DTI, we continue to support you via our other programs such as the Shared Service Facilities (SSF), One Town, One Product (OTOP), MSME roving academy, access to financing programs especially from Small Business Corporation, attendance to trade fairs, and others.”

Since it started in 2016, the program has produced more than 800 mentee-graduates in Northern Mindanao. ♦

Date of Release: 20 July 2022