Eight entrepreneurs from Catanduanes from various sectors were among the 48 who comprised the first batch of the Kapatid Mentor ME-Money Market Encounter (KMME-MME) Online Program for 2022 that was launched last week.
The lucky small business owners who will undergo mentoring through a free 10-module program are: Erlinda Borbe of 7 Sibs Diner, Moonwalk, San Isidro Village, Virac; Mary Antonette Camano of Tawny’s Processed Food Production, Paraiso, San Miguel; Mary Jane Santos of Winlhabine Kuping Products of Suchan, Bagamanoc; Ardy Traqueña of Ardy Events and Design, Palnab del Norte, Virac; Maria Pilaw Manlangit of BUHAICO, Hawan Ilaya, Virac; Nancy Vallespin of Nancy Food Product, Suchan, Bagamanoc; Mark Andres Cano of Pap’s Food Processing, Suchan, Bagamanoc; and, Teresa Zafe of Marz Pet Shop Virac.
An initiative of DTI and Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), KMME optimizes weekly face-to-face interactions between the mentors and the mentees with the key goal of boosting the entrepreneurial capacity through improved access to Mentorship, Money & Market (the 3Ms).
The flagship program’s 2022 batches is jointly funded by the DTI regional offices and the National SMED Council.
Each of the eight local entrepreneurs will present a Business Improvement Plan (BIP) to an expanded panel of evaluators composed of representatives from banks, online market platforms and other business support organizations.
In his welcome remarks, DTI Regional Director Rodrigo Aguilar said the batch is the 27th in Bicol since the KMME began, with 655 mentees successfully graduating from the program.
“This is a challenge you will never lose,” he told the 48 new mentees. “Successful businessmen will provide inputs as experts on the day-to-day operations of your businesses. It will also give you the opportunity to develop networks among mentees and mentors.”
Reminding them that a similar course in a higher educational institution would cost a fortune, Aguilar remarked that all that is asked of the mentees is to take it seriously and to participate actively.
DTI Undersecretary for Regional Operations Group Blesila Lantayona said that many MSMEs need help and inspiration to revitalize their businesses, with KMME helping them over the years and reaching out to many entrepreneurs nationwide.
“We will continue to support you even after you graduate, through Shared Service Facilities, networking, access to financing and attendance to trade fairs,” she added.
On the other hand, Go Negosyo Senior Adviser for MSME Development Engr. Merly Cruz disclosed that while the KMME-MME has graduated 7,337 mentees and has more than 600 mentors, there is a need to develop a mentors’ pool in the regions.
This year, the program introduces coaching to enhance the Business Improvement Plans, plus a complementary webinar on Digitalization and Business Continuity Planning and Resiliency, she said.
Aside from the quantified grading system, the program also introduces new modules on Digitalization, Good Governance and Ethics.
For 2022, DTI and PCE targets around 2,000 graduates of the KMME-MME, with 200 of them able to access credit from banks and financing institutions, and another 10 percent enabled to adopt innovative strategies and become sustainable in the New Normal by restarting or repurposing their businesses, Cruz stated.
She reminded the mentees that the coronavirus pandemic is not yet over and the Ukraine war has affected fuel prices and the supply of goods.
“Our hope is that you surmount these difficulties with the help of KMME-MME online,” she said.