51 CALABARZON micro, small, and medium enterprises graduated from the Department of Trade and Industry Region 4-A’s KAPATID Mentor ME-Money and Market Encounter (KMME-MME) Program on July 11, 2023 via Zoom. In partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrerepeneurship-Go Negosyo, KMME-MME Online Multisectoral Batch Graduation was conducted after the mentees’ successful presentation of their Business Improvement Plan (BIP) to an expanded panel of evaluators composed of representatives from the banks, online market platforms, and other business support organizations.

“This year marks the 8th year of the KMME Program, and it has never been this fulfilling to witness how this program produced so many successful entrepreneurs over the years. I am proud to say that this is where we get our champions, our future successful businessmen and women, and of course, our future mentors. More than the success, it is the story behind it that makes everything worth it—the failures that built your character, the hard-learned discipline, and your courage along the way. I hope these shape your whole entrepreneurial journey, spreading contagious positivity to your fellow entrepreneurs and inspiring those that are still dreaming,” said DTI 4-A OIC-Assistant Regional Director Revelyn A. Cortez in her welcome remarks.

The KMME-MME Onlineis designed to integrate MME into the regular KMME Program. This aims to provide a platform for existing and aspiring MSMEs to learn and be inspired by the entrepreneurial journey of mentors online, adapt their business strategies in responding to the challenges of the new normal business environment, be the channel for capacity building on an online platform using the KMME modules and canned lectures via webinar, and provide an avenue for business mentorship of the waitlisted MSMEs across the regions and enhance their resiliency through a crisis.

“I am so proud of the hardwork, dedication, and willpower demonstrated by our MSMEs to reboot their business in order to recover from the pandemic and face the new normal. I’m sure that the KMME-MME Program has again produced graduates with the mindset and values of successful entrepreneurs. As graduates of KMME, you are among those who know the secret of the power of mentorship. Under the KMME program, you learn from the best and you benefit from the past mistakes and successes of our mentors,” said DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona in her congratulatory message.

The graduate-mentees completed the 10-module program: entrepreneurial mind-setting; marketing mindset; business model canvas; operations management; digitalization; supply and value chain; enterprise accounting/financial management; human resources/organization management; product development and marketing expansion and internationalization; and good governance & ethics.

“After closing my computer shop business because of the pandemic last 2020, I decided to take a risk, try again, and open up a new business to adopt to this new normal. Dahil sa KMME-MME Program, nabigyan ako ng lakas na loob na harapin ang mga challenges. Marami akong natutunan sa mga pamamaraan sa pagnenegosyo. Dahil sa DTI, nagbago ang tingin ko sa gobyerno. Dahil sa programang ito, nabigyan ng pag-asa ang malilit na negosyo na gaya namin,” said Mr. Chicoi Gonzales, owner of Kuku Express Solutions, Inc. in Cavite, in his testimonial.

Another MSME from Laguna, Mr. Tyrone Jasper Reodica, owner of Let Eat Go Food and Beverage House in Laguna, expressed his gratitude to the DTI for the assistance and guidance in his startup business.

“Natulungan po ako ng DTI to realize the importance of having a business plan and applying digitalization in my business. Starting a business is not easy. However, when having both a plan and passion in everything that you do, nothing is impossible,” added Reodica.

“We are elated that another batch of talented and hardworking mentees were able to graduate this year. We cannot wait to witness what’s in store for you after applying all your learning from the program. But one thing is for sure, lots of wonderful opportunities await you,” said DTI 4-A OIC-Regional Director Marissa C. Argente.

This is the fourth year of KMME-MME Online in CALABARZON. Overall, there are 750 graduate-mentees from 2016-2023 in the region.

The KMME-MME Online is a public-private partnership program between the DTI and the PCE-Go Negosyo to provide business coaching and mentorship for entrepreneurs across the country. If you want to be a mentee of the KMME-MME Online, visit your nearest DTI Regional and Provincial Office or Negosyo Center nationwide. ♦

Date of Release: 26 June 2023