KORONADAL CITY – A total of 47 entrepreneurs from Region 12 representing the multi-sectoral batch were declared graduates of the 2021 Kapatid Mentor Micro Entrepreneurs – Money Market Encounter (KMME-MME) Online Program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The KMME-MME Online is an upgraded program of DTI with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) – Go Negosyo that aims to assist micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in scaling up their business through series of lectures, coachings, and mentoring sessions with reputable partners who are industry practitioners.
The virtual graduation on Thursday was graced by DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, PCE – Go Negosyo Founder Joey A. Conception, and Jude Constantine S. Jaugan, the Regional Director of DTI-Region 12.
To graduate from the program, enrolled MSMEs must complete the 12-week session and successfully craft and defend their Business Improvement Plans to the panel of experts representing the government, digital market, and financial institutions.
In his welcome message, Dir. Jaugan challenged the graduates to be brave and use their learning in growing their business as well as in helping also other MSMEs.
“While we will be declaring you as graduates of the 2021 KMME-MME program, your entrepreneurial journey does not end here. It is, in fact, the start of a more rigorous one. May I challenge you to be brave! Let your desire to succeed be greater than your fear of failure,” said Dir. Jaugan.
Sec. Lopez congratulated the graduates for showing the will and the determination to reboot their business to recover from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Despite the new normal, the DTI remains committed to implementing the KMME program to help current and aspiring entrepreneurs to improve their business model, and improve access to mentorship, microfinancing, and access to market,” said Sec. Lopez.
Now in its sixth year, the program has produced 451 mentee-graduates in Region 12 with businesses ranging from food processing, homestyle and wearables, and services.
Meanwhile, in her testimonial message, Trexie Mae Ortiz, one of the KMME-MME graduates and owner of Trexies Homemade Food Products Trading, expressed her gratitude to DTI and Go Negosyo for the opportunity to be part of the mentoring program. The second batch of the 2021 KMME-MME for Region 12 that will start in July targets to cater to entrepreneurs who are in the youth sector. ♦
Date of Release: 25 June 2021