SAN FERNANDO CITY, PAMPANGA – The Department of Trade and Industry Regional Office 3 has virtually launched the first batch of this year’s Kapatid Mentor Me Enterprise – Money Market Encounter (KMME-MME) program on April 5.

A total of 48 mentees qualified for this batch with seven (7) mentees each coming from Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales while Aurora has six (6) mentees. The program will be conducted online over the period of three months.

The mentees, who are all women entrepreneurs, will undergo 10 online modules and coaching sessions with reputable mentors from large business companies. The structured sessions will allow mentees to learn strategies on marketing, financial, human resources, and operations management, among others. With it, MSMEs are continuously kept abreast of innovative information, skills, and knowledge needed to scale up their enterprise. As their final output at the end of the program, the entrepreneurs will present their business improvement plans before a panel of experts.

Experts from the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), outstanding representatives from the government, banking and financial sector and online market platforms will serve as mentors for the entire course.

In line with the launch, DTI-3 OIC Regional Director Brigida T. Pili welcomed the participants and emphasized the agency’s commitment in empowering women entrepreneurs. “By providing mentorship and support, we aim to unlock the full potential of women-led businesses and contribute to the growth and development of the region,” OIC RD Pili said.

DTI MSME Development Group Undersecretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque gave a special message for the mentees. “To our mentees, may you emerge from this program stronger and better prepared to tackle whatever challenges lies ahead,” she advised.

Meanwhile, Senior Adviser for PCE-Go Negosyo, Engr. Merly M. Cruz also delivered a message regarding the success of the KMME program. “A recent study showed that the collaborative environment created by the program serves as a platform for MSMEs to network, share knowledge, encourage innovations and creative thinking,” she mentioned.

The online modules and coaching sessions are free for the qualified mentees who have undergone screening. To qualify, a participant should have a registered business which is operating for at least a year, must have employees or manage a team, good internet connection and is committed to attend and finish the modules.

To date, the region has produced 825 mentee-graduates under the KMME Program and a second batch will be launched for the second semester of this year. ♦

Date of release: 30 April 2024

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