BONTOC, Mountain Province – 25 youths from the different municipalities of Mountain Province (MP) who are aspiring to be entrepreneurs graduated in this year’s Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP): “You Can be Your Own Boss” held at the Drop by Inn and Restaurant in Sac-angan, Bontoc.
The implementation of the YEP is in compliance with Republic Act No. 10679, otherwise known as the Youth Entrepreneurship Act. This act mandates the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development Council through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to implement a national program to promote youth entrepreneurship development. Moreover, the YEP is a focused program to address the young demographics of the country to become productive individuals through entrepreneurship. This program will help young Filipinos develop their entrepreneurial skills by offering them a comprehensive package of interventions (https://www.dti.gov.ph/negosyo/yep/)
The YEP was held in MP with success thru the collective effort of the DTI-MP, the Provincial Government as the funding agency (funded under the Aid to MSME under the Barangay Muna Program of Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr.), the Commission on Education (CHED) thru its Project MARITES, which stands for Mobilizing Available Resources thru Inclusive Training on Entrepreneurship of Student-Grantees, and Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC).
The undertaking kicked off on July 9, 2024, and culminated with a graduation ceremony on July 12, 2024. On the first day, various speakers from the implementing agencies delivered their respective encouragement and message of support to the participants.
Provincial Livelihood, Economic, and Investment Promotions Officer Venus O. Padayao relayed Governor Lacwasan’s message to the participants on his behalf, reminding them of their potential to shape a successful future for themselves and contribute greatly to the development of the province.
“Remember, you have the power to shape your destiny. With our Barangay Muna Program in looking into the welfare of our youth, I am confident that after this training, with your determination and creativity, you will contribute to the growth and development of our beloved Mountain Province,” she said.
As advice towards business success, DTI-MP Provincial Director Mabel F. Banggawan underscored how crucial collaboration is in the realm of business. She urged all the participants to surround themselves with a diverse network of mentors, advisors, and like-minded individuals who share their passion for success.
“Embrace the power of teamwork for it is through collective effort that great ideas flourish and monumental achievements are realized,” she continued.
Meanwhile, MPSPC President Edgar G. Cue, thru MPSPC Vice President for Academic Affairs Mark Preston S. Lopez and MPSPC Student Services Development Office Dean Jennifer Ruth C. Tuazon as his representatives, and CHED-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Regional Director Demetrio P. Anduyan, Jr., represented by CHED-CAR Education Supervisor II Bernadette C. Pal-ec, also expressed their support to such endeavor that holds great contribution to the development of the youth. In addition, they expressed their thanks to all the stakeholders who stood behind the successful conduct of the YEP.
Throughout the four-day duration of the program, all the 25 youth participants were engaged in different lectures and participated in different engaging simulations coming up with their business idea, creating their marketing plan, business map and customer empathy map, and pitching their business proposals, among others. These were facilitated by Regional YEP Coordinator Marsha C. Pasong and DTI-Ifugao’s Trade and Industry Development Specialist Eleanor Basilio Saludares. By Hail, MP
