Three coconut entrepreneurs and five officials of coconut farmers associations have started attending online sessions as part of the second batch of participants in the Kapatid Mentor ME-Money Market Encounter (KMME-MME) this 2026.
Sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Council for Entrepreneurship (PCE) Go Negosyo Program, the business course is focusing anew on a single sector – the coconut industry – after taking in those engaged in creatives early this year.
The eight (8) participants from Catanduanes are: Gilda G. Bumanglaw of Ge-Ann Non-Food and Food Products based in Kilikilihan, San Miguel; Vicente T. Guerrero of Biong Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative in Gigmoto, represented by Vice Chairman Lorenzo Torillos; Marilyn U. Abrenica of Jansea’s Food Products of Tambongon, Viga; Abel M. Suarez of Carangag Farmers Association in San Andres; Jose Gregorio M. Almojuela of Pandan Farmers Agriculture Cooperative of Catamban, Pandan; Arlyn T. Martirez of Sioron Farmers Agrarian Reform Cooperative in Gigmoto; Anne E. Fernandez-Gianan of LSG Handicrafts Manufacturing in San Isidro Village, Virac; and Maria Cristy Teope of Bote-Carorian Coconut Farmers Agriculture in Bato.
They will attend weekly classes on the following modules: entrepreneurial mindsetting, marketing mind-set, business model canvas, operations management, digitalization, supply and value chain, good governance & ethics, market expansion and internationalization, product development, HR/organization management, and enterprise accounting/financial management.
Coaches will supervise the drafting and finalization of the BIP drafting, finalization and presentation, as well as the culmination and product exposition.
Present during the Catanduanes launch at the ARDCI Hotel Business Lounge were the DTI Catanduanes Provincial Office staff headed by Director Ma. Belma Q. Escueta while delivering their remarks online were Regional Director Dindo G. Nabol, Usec. Blesila A. Lantayona of the Regional Operations Group, and PCE-Go Negosyo Executive Director Anthony Patrick Chua.
Among the wide range of products of the participants include coconut delicacies, coco shell decors and accessories, coconut vinegar, coco jam, coco shell charcoal briquettes, cooking oil, buko bagoong, coconut energy bar, virgin coconut oil, buko kinalas and coco pancit.
The free business course for coconut industry entrepreneurs comes just a month after the DTI spearheaded the Coconut Conference – Usap Tayo (Market Updates & Opportunities) Year 5 at ARDCI Hotel last July 5, 2026 where coconut farmers associations, cooperatives and MSMEs using coconuts as raw materials participated.