CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Another batch of Central Luzon entrepreneurs from different business sectors recently graduated from the Kapatid Mentor Micro Enterprises-Money Market Encounter (KMME-MME) program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The graduation of 48 KMME mentees graduated through a virtual ceremony held on August 17, after completing 10 module courses.
Prior to graduation, mentees presented their business improvement plans to a panel of experts to help them align their plans and implement them successfully.
The 48 graduates of KMME Batch 2 came after the first batch of Central Luzon KMME mentees for 2021, who came from tourism-related establishments.
DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, who led the graduation ceremony virtually, stressed the need for entrepreneurs to continue improving and leveling up despite the challenges brought by the pandemic.
During the testimonial in the event, one of the KMME graduates, Arlene Mendoza of CM Prime Foods of Bulacan, said that she was initially hesitant to join the mentoring program.
She noted that the pandemic made her business difficult and she had a hard time coping. After attending the sessions, she now felt fortunate for being included in the program because she learned important knowledge on operational management, digitalization and government compliance.
DTI Central Luzon Director Leonila T. Baluyut congratulated the 48 KMME MME graduates and assured them of the continuous support of the DTI and the Go Negosyo-Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, which is the agency’s partner in capacitating micro, small and medium enterprises in the country.
She also noted that aside from the mentoring sessions, DTI-Central Luzon continues to capacitate MSMEs through product development sessions and the SME Roving Academy.