More than 300 participants joined the launching and orientation activities for the second run of Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP!) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The participants were composed of youth entrepreneurs, aspiring youth entrepreneurs, youth organizations, and partner enablers for the youth entrepreneurship development. The YEP! program aims to develop young Filipinos by offering them a comprehensive package of interventions, including a series of trainings, mentoring sessions, and consultations with industry leaders and sharing of experiences among themselves.
In his keynote address, DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez stressed that the role of YEP! is crucial to strengthening economic independence among young individuals and communities. “This is one of DTI’s strategies to ensure a whole-of-government approach in addressing the major challenges affecting the youth. Our strategy involves our 7Ms Framework for Successful Entrepreneurship, consisting of programs that focus on Mindset, Mastery, Mentoring, Money, Machine, Market Access, and Models of Negosyo,” Lopez noted. The Trade Chief also cited the CAR as home to technology and knowledge-based industries—industries where most of the youth excel. “We believe the next generation of Filipinos are the hope of our nation, especially as we build back better in the post-pandemic future. That’s why we urge today’s “youthpreneurs” to take advantage of DTI’s MSME development programs so that you can become the smart and successful entrepreneurs of tomorrow.” Lopez explained.
“The youth, represented by the color turquoise, are adaptive, self-sufficient, and keen observers of the changes going on around them. Possessing such qualities, we, in the DTI, see the immense potential of our Kabataang Pinoy to revolutionize the PH entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through YEP!, kami po ay excited na tulungan kayo na maisakatuparin ang inyong mga pangarap sa larangan ng pagni- negosyo. Let me end by reiterating that we, in the Regional Operations Group (ROG) of DTI, are looking forward to more young entrepreneurs in Cordillera,” said Undersecretary for ROG Blesila A. Lantayona in her message.
DTI-CAR OIC Regional Director Juliet P. Lucas also highlighted the adaptability and resourcefulness of the youth. “Learning entrepreneurship among the youth is very dynamic and without standard patterns, the resources are unlimited on Google, in movies on Netflix among others. Soon, entrepreneurship will become an integral part of every course curriculum from pre-school to senior high and then in college courses.” In her closing message she also congratulated and assured the YEP! participants that youth entrepreneurship is a national concern and a high priority policy agenda as a means to boost competitiveness and employment. “You have the backing of government programs and services that will cater to your inadequacies on financing, technology among others, which will be partly shared by our partner enablers” Lucas concluded.
DTI Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED) Director Jerry T. Clavesilla, Charmaine Leong and RJ Tan of the Philippine Young Entrepreneurs Association (PYEA), PJ Lanot of Pino Group of Companies, Raymund Aaron of Banana Chief, Jamico Jamiang of Villa Socorro Farm, Aulivia Ong of Fiesta Chills Milk Tea Café also shared their well wishes and advices to the participants as they tackled the following topics: “Getting Started; The Entrepreneurial Mindset”, “Begin! Boost! Boom! Great Ideas for Starting Things”, “Entrep Now: Big Dreams with Small Budget”, “DA Programs for the Youth”, “Small Business Corporation Financing Programs”, “Entrep Best: What’s Business, Expense savings and Time for the Youth” and “Negosyo Goals: Testimonial from Young Entrepreneurs”. Representatives from the Department of Agriculture – CAR and Small Business Corporation Northern Luzon (SBCorp) also joined the activity.
Hosted by Philippine Information Agency-CAR Regional Director Helen Tibaldo with DTI-CAR Regional Office personnel as event organizers, the YEP launching activity was conducted simultaneously in various venues across the region and through Zoom video conference platform on 15 September 2021.
Date of Release: 20 September 2021