BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry Cordillera (DTI-CAR), in its continuing support to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region recently launched the 8th Kapatid Mentor Me-Money Market Encounter (KMME-MME) Online Program.
An annual activity of DTI in partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) Go Negosyo, the KMME-MME Online program aims to upscale MSMEs by providing them with invaluable guidance, financial resources, and market insights.
Since its inception in 2016, the program has successfully produced a total of 13,820 graduates nationwide, 890 of them from Cordillera.
This 2024, the DTI-CAR plans to maintain the program's goals by organizing two sessions with 102 MSMEs beneficiaries from different industry clusters, namely; food manufacturing, services, wearables, agriculture, retailing, and wholesaling.
These MSMEs are selected from the six Cordillera provinces. They will be subsequently incorporated into the KMME-MME alumni network upon completion of the program in August.
A total of 835 mentors, professional businessmen from the PCE-Go Negosyo, will guide the mentees throughout the program.
DTI-CAR Regional Director Juliet Lucas ensured that the mentors and coaches are accredited, and have complied with the different criteria to guarantee the quality of insights and perspectives they offer to all mentees.
Lucas also ensured that a comprehensive government service forum will be organized to link mentees with various government programs and services. These include financing options, regulatory compliance, legal documentation, marketing promotion, and a range of other programs and services provided by national line agencies, and partner institutions from the private sector.
“The success of your businesses will likewise be the measure of the success of this program. The role of the government is to provide support with their respective programs,” Lucas said.
Undersecretary Ma. Cristina Roque of the DTI-MSME Development Group also reaffirmed her dedication to spearheading programs and initiatives aimed at advancing MSMEs in the Philippines.
“Our mission with KMME- MME is clear to equip mentees with the skills they need to succeed in today’s competitive business landscape. We strive to foster adaptability, innovation, and growth among the participants. Even after completing the program, rest assured that the DTI and Go Negosyo are here to provide continued support through coaching, mentorship, and access to vital resources,” Roque stated.
A 2023 survey by the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center among 193 micro and small enterprises highlighted the program's effectiveness in fostering small business growth as reflected in significant improvements in their employment, net profit, and market share. The study suggests expanding program outreach, and ensuring module updates to address current market trends. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR/Marvilyn Lokines- BSU Intern)
