CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — A total of 101 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in northern Mindanao were officially inducted as mentees in the Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) 2025 program of the Department of Trade and Industry on March 18.
The KMME aims to upscale MSMEs through improved access to mentorship, money, and market. It is implemented in partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE).
The mentees include 20 from Bukidnon, 15 from Camiguin, 21 from Lanao del Norte, 20 from Misamis Occidental, and 25 from Misamis Oriental. They will participate in a 10-module mentorship and coaching program conducted in a physical set-up to facilitate weekly face-to-face interactions with mentors.
The program also includes a Government Services Forum, where mentees will learn about government programs and services that can support their business growth.
At the end of the program, each mentee will present a Business Improvement Plan (BIP) to a panel of industry experts as a final requirement.
In his opening remarks, DTI regional director Ruel Paclipan highlighted the importance of the BIP. “Your businesses are your babies. I’m sure you have visions for your businesses. Kaning BIP nga inyong buhaton, let this be an opportunity for you to put all your plans in writing. Unya matabangan mo sa atong mentors ug panelists later,” he said.
(The BIP that you will be crafting, let this be an opportunity for you to put all your plans in writing. Our mentors and panelists will be helping you.)
Paclipan also expressed his hope for a 100% completion rate for KMME Batch 2025. “I hope you will have the realization that you had one of the best decisions, [which is] to be a part of the program,” he added. (DTI-10/PIA-10)
