MCCI head planning youth program

MANDAUE Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Philip Tan is planning to create a program to promote entrepreneurship among the youth.

Tan said he was inspired by the success stories of women micro-entrepreneurs who joined the chamber’s Search for Women In Need Now Entrepreneurs and Role Models (W.I.N.N.E.Rs).

The W.I.N.N.E.Rs search is a quest for model women micro-entrepreneurs from Mandaue City who are supporting their families through their business ventures. The project is now on its second season.

A cash prize of P50,000 is awarded to the winner to be used as additional funding to grow her business. Participants are exposed to various activities such entrepreneurial skills training and basic banking.

“It’s high time that for the next season we will include other segments in the society, especially the youth, to participate in this kind of transformation,” Tan said.

Tan said that aside from empowering women, the chamber also plays a crucial role in empowering the youth.

“The government is doing its best to promote entrepreneurship in the country. We need to hone the right skills of the youth so they can start on their own and open a start-up business,” he said.

Tan said Technical Education and Skills Development Authority courses like plumbing can help the youth augment their income or become a source of livelihood.

If approved by the MCCI board, Tan said he would push for training on business skills and personality development.

Tan said entrepreneurial development in the country needs a stronger push because it requires a certain discipline.