The Department of Trade and Industry-CAR in its commitment to help alleviate poverty and uplift the quality of life thru sustainable economic growth is now rolling mentorship programs for entrepreneurs. Said program is in line with the agency’s thrust to generate more income opportunities through employment and entrepreneurship.
Beginning this March, various training modules are lined up to be conducted by highly trained business counselors deployed to the Negosyo Centers that are present in each of the provinces and cities in the region. A trainings on “Entrepreneurial Mind-setting and Values Formation” and “Marketing” are scheduled in Baguio on March 29, in Mountain Province on April 6, in Benguet on August 16, Abra on May 5, Kalinga on June 9, Apayao on July 7 and Ifugao on August 3 with expected participants of about 100 per area.
Another training on “The Business Model Canvass: What help do we need/support from other institutions” is scheduled on April 6 in Baguio, April 20 in Mountain Province, August 24 in Benguet, May 11 in Abra, June 30 in Kalinga, July 13 in Apayao and August 10 in Ifugao.
For MSMEs who are particular on improving their businesses, the “Product Development/Assessment and Development” training is scheduled on April 20 in Baguio, April 27 in Mountain Province, August 31 in Benguet, May 18 in Abra, July 7 in Kalinga, July 20 in Apayao and August 17 in Ifugao. For a training on “Operations Management”, this will be offered in Baguio on April 27, in Mountain Province on May 4, Benguet on September 7, Abra on May 25, Kalinga on July 14, Apayao on July 27 and in Ifugao on August 24.
From the month of May onwards up to October this year, trainings on “Supply and Value Chain, Human Resource and Organization Management, Entrepreneurial Accounting and Financial Management, Taxation, Business Law and Business Improvement Plan Presentation” are scheduled by the regional and provincial offices of DTI in the Cordillera. These trainings are also part of the specific programs of the Negosyo Centers that are housed in the DTI offices in the region. Mentors from the business sectors will also be tapped to provide assistance to MSMEs. Aside from the mentioned trainings under the Mentor Me program, entrepreneurs are also encouraged by DTI to access grants and financial assistance, avail of the services of credit facilities and shared services facility (SSF). MSMEs in the region. In partnership with local government units and other agencies, DTI will be training more business counselors to ensure the success of the Mentor Me program. **A Tibaldo/ASGIOCO
