CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- Ten women entrepreneurs in Northern Mindanao pitched their innovative enterprises during a regional pitch competition organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-10.

Dubbed "Babaye para sa Babaye: Search for Innovative Women Entrepreneurs in Northern Mindanao," the program aims to identify and recognize the entrepreneurial talent of women by providing them a platform to make significant contributions to the local economy.

The search is conducted in partnership with the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) North Mindanao Field Office, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) IDEYA, and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-10.

DOST-10 Regional Director Engr. Romela Ratilla said 36 enterprises submitted applications and they have chosen the ten best enterprises for the pitch competition. Five will then be selected as regional winners.

The Top 5 winners are Anna Paula Chiong of Mama Nene's Homemade Delights, Nenita Tan of Bestfriend Goodies, Melody Paurillo of KaHero Apps Inc., Nadine Angelica Gadia-Casiño of Alima Mother Support Center, and Irene Mae Sinhayan of ISY Handicrafts.

They received P50,000 each and will represent Northern Mindanao at the national level of the Women-Helping-Women Innovating Social Enterprises (WHWise) National Innovation Challenge.

"The national winner will get a project that can help their enterprise worth P2 million," Ratilla further said.

WHWISE is DOST-PCIEERD’s first initiative to support women-led social enterprises to serve more communities. It aims to bring together a strong group of women incubator managers and partners to provide services and access to technologies, skills development, mentorship, and business incubation.

Meanwhile, the DOST director encourages women to be inspired by the WHWise emphasizing that women can achieve more and empower the community. She further stressed that there are government agencies ready to help the women's sector. (APB/PIA-10)