DTI Kapatid Mentor Me Program in Negros Oriental
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) held a 10-week Kapatip Mentor Me Program to help 51 Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in Negros Oriental. With the partnership of Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE)-Go Negosyo, experts helped these 51 MSMEs to better their business. This program will be from 11th of June till mid of August.
Kapatid Mentor Me Program
The Kapatid Mentor Me Program was a 10-week session of intensive mentoring. DTI Central Visayas Regional Director Asteria Caberte (DTI Region VII-Central Visayas) said that there is a need to change the mindset of microenterprises so they can adapt, adjust and practice innovations and new trends in business. During Kapatid Mentor Me Program’s launching in Dumaguete City, DTI Regional Director said that the mentoring sessions have helped MSMEs scale up their businesses since they are able to discuss issues, challenges and find models from successful entrepreneurs who serve as their mentors.
According to Ed Du, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) regional governor for Central Visayas saw this program as a great help for MSMEs. There are 26 MSMEs from Dumaguete City and 25 from Mabinay town for this year, and this is the fifth batch for Dumaguete and the sixth for Mabinay.
We want them to grow from micro to small, small to medium, and hopefully, medium to large. Who knows someone from this batch might become a billionaire?” said Ed Du.
The sessions and workshops started on June 11 and will last until mid- August. Aside from Mabinay DTI has also rolled out other LGU-based KMMEs particularly in Bayawan City and La Libertad,” Du added.
According to Caberte, top-caliber speakers from Manila discussed the different modules under the KMME Program, including marketing, product development, operations management, taxation, accounting, finance, HR management, and business development plan. At the end of each workshop, the attendees present to DTI a business improvement plan that will be critiqued by bank representatives.
This is DTI’s first intervention for MSMEs. Later on, the department will assist them in product development, labeling, packaging, and food safety tips as most of the KMME mentees this year are involved in food processing, said DTI Central Visayas Regional Director Asteria Caberte.
She emphasized the importance of and commitment to attending the weekly modules. “Perfect attendance is strictly a requirement. This is similar to a master’s degree. Every module is equally important,” she stated.
