DTI Cagayan sends-off 25 mentees as they graduated from the 4th batch of Kapatid Mentor Me Program of the Department of Trade and Industry on September 6, 2018 at the DTI Region 02 Negosyo Center, Carig, Tuguegarao City.

 

Attended by several public and private stakeholders in MSME Development, the graduation of the 25 mentees was highlighted by their Business Improvement Plan presentations before a team of panelists composed of representatives from financial institutions, food processing industry sectors, the chamber of commerce and industry sector and the government sector, particularly those in MSME Development.

 

In his opening message, Mr. Arturo B. Tabbu, General Manager of Lighthouse Cooperative and Cagayan PMSMEDC Co-Chair, urged the mentees to use the learnings that they acquired through the Kapatid Mentor Me Program. He encouraged them to never stop innovating, cultivating and improving their business.

 

The graduation was graced by DTI’s partners in MSME Development. In attendance were OIC RD Ruben B. Diciano, ARD Ma. Salvacion A. Castillejos, PD Bernardino G. Mabborang, OIC-DC Leonardo P. Urata, DC Felicidad S. Baylon, Ms. Tessie Isidra A. Guitering, Ms. Corazon C. Soriano and Mr. Roberto A. Pancha of DTI Cagayan, DC Leovilda S. Tumaliuan of DTI Regional Office 02, CEC Food Ventures’ Cesar E. Crisostomo, Lighthouse Cooperative’s Arturo B. Tabbu, Ms. Karen May C. Anggangan of Small Business Corporation, Ms. Maria Victoria L. Español of Bank of Makati, Mr. Gerry Z. Laggui of Precious Gerlan Enterprises, Mr. Christopher John C. Cadaoas of Masisit Dacal Livelihood Cooperative, mentors Mr. Michael Lu and Ms. Candy Mauricio,  and other public and private stakeholders.

 

The twenty five (25) mentees were assisted by the Negosyo Center Business Counselors (NCBCs) of DTI Cagayan in the preparation of their Business Improvement Plans. Monitoring of the mentees’ BIPs will also be conducted through the assistance of their NCBC-coaches.
OIC RD Ruben B. Diciano, in his message, challenged the mentee-graduates to apply their learnings from the expert mentors and partner with DTI and other government agencies to sustain and scale-up their businesses for job generation and increased income. He also encouraged them to be vigilant and to always take the initiative to access programs and services on MSME development of the government, particularly of the DTI.

 

Meanwhile, the graduates elected their batch officers who took their oath before ARD Ma. Salvacion Castillejos. “DTI has been very helpful to me and to other MSMES through the services they provide like these free seminars of the KMME Program. I will be forever grateful to DTI,” said Rev. Dr. Samuel R. Garcia, the newly-elected President of the 4th batch. The new batch of graduates dubbed themselves “Entrepreneurs in Action for Great Leadership and Excellent Synergy of Cagayan North” (E.A.G.L.E.S.) of the Cagayan North.
DTI Cagayan is now actively scouting for a new set of KMME mentees for FY 2019 through the KMME Focal Person, Ms. Tessie Isidra A. Guitering, STIDS.♦