THE new batch of 20 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have completed four modules of the “Kapatid Mentor Me” program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Since the program launching in Cadiz City on April 24, the third batch of recipient-mentees already attended the training on entrepreneurial mind-setting and values formation, marketing, product development and market growth and expansion, and business model canvas modules.
Romel Amihan, senior trade and industry development of DTI-Negros Occidental, said each of the 10 modules to be completed by the MSMEs has corresponding objectives.
“But generally, the purpose why the program is conducted is to enhance the competencies of our selected mentees,” he added.
Other modules scheduled until July this year include operations management, human resource management, supply and value chain, accounting and financial management, taxation, and business law.
In June 2017, the DTI launched the Kapatid Mentor Me program in Negros Occidental, the 66th location in the country.
It is aimed at helping MSMEs scale up their businesses through weekly coaching and mentoring by successful business owners and practitioners on different functional areas of entrepreneurship.
The agency has partnered with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) for the conceptualization of the program, which is one of the three components of its Project Kapatid along with adopt-an-SSF (shared service facilities) and inclusive business.
For the first batch, 18 of the 21 mentees graduated from the program and were able to produce potential improvement plans for their businesses.
In 2018, DTI-Negros Occidental also produced 20 mentees who completed the 10-module sessions last June.
DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lea Gonzales earlier said the new mentees are mostly from the northern localities like cities of Escalante, Sagay and Victorias, among others, with various businesses like food, bakery, salon, aluminum and glass installation, and coffee shop, among others.
Like the first two batches, they are expected to come up with a Business Improvement Plan (BIP) which will be subjected to consultation and screening by a panel.
“We hope that they will be able to implement their improvement plans and become more competent MSMEs at the end of the program,” she had said.