Forty two (42) mentees from the provinces of Cavite and Quezon recently joined the online launching of Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) program as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) CALABARZON, in partnership with Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) – Go Negosyo, has adapted the digital KMME.
DTI’s Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED) Director Jerry Clavesillas encouraged the mentees to work hard in attending all the online mentoring sessions as it will help them become more competitive in their business and will establish business linkages.
DTI-CALABARZON Director Marilou Toledo emphasized the importance of constantly learning and looking for new and better ways to improve a service or product despite the pandemic.
“We hope that our micro, small, and medium enterprises will be inspired to adapt their business strategies in responding to the challenges of the new normal business environment,” said Toledo.
The KMME Online is designed to integrate the Money and Market Encounter (MME) into the regular KMME program. It is developed as a practical delivery mechanism for the same mentorship modules for our MSMEs to survive and thrive despite of unexpected setbacks such as COVID-19.
This will be achieved through the presentation of the Business Improvement Plan (BIP) to an expanded panel of evaluators composed of representatives from banks, online market platforms, and other business support organizations.
According to PCE Representative Pocholo Soliven, one of the objectives of the KMME-MME Program is to provide an avenue for business mentorship of the waitlisted MSEs across the regions and enhance their resiliency through a crisis.
“We want to thank DTI for this very wonderful opportunity they gave us. Currently, the way we handle our business is very traditional. Through KMME-MME program, we want to learn new business strategies that would help our company to improve,” said Miracle Grace Cadiz, owner of Victoria Cadiz Bakery and Mazapan Products Store in Quezon.
Froilan Plaza, owner of Mamasel Cremaroons in Cavite, expressed his excitement in being part of the program as he wants to expand his business nationwide.
“Thank you, DTI, for helping small entrepreneurs like us to be part in this MBA-like program in business. I am looking forward to learning more about business and apply those learning afterwards,” said Plaza.
The first-ever digital KMME graduation of 45 MSME mentees was held last June 25 spearheaded by DTI-Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona. ♦
Date of Release: 14 August 2020