VIRAC, Catanduanes (PIA)- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Catanduanes launched the 2nd  Batchof Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME-MME) Online program mentees in Catanduanes on October 3. 

DTI Catanduanes Provincial Director Maria Belma Escueta said a total of eight (8) mentees will undergo a series of sessions over 10 modules via zoom together with 40 other mentees across Bicol region.

The mentees for this batch who are already on board are: Mr. Vic Vargas (Bakies Cafe); Dr. Ivan Gil  Balmadrid (Tandu Food Hub) ;  Archie Arcilla (Tambak Mushroom Farm);  Ryan Agunday (Y&C Paint Center); Ms. Arlene Cabrera (Jaz Handicraft);  Lynne Marjorie Camson (Seaglass Sonata Arts & Crafts Manufacturing); Kimverly Abato (KFA Chicken By-products trading); and Renato Chong (Burabod Free-range Chicken Farm) .

The launching ceremony was graced by PD Escueta and facilitated by Ms. Ma. Irene Andes, the KMME Provincial coordinator. Other DTI staffs present were Ms. Gie Nel Alcantara, Ms. Nyl Vi Boñgalos, Ms. Geraldine Bagadiong, Mr. Michael Subion and Ms. Lalaine Beguirras.

The Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) has been implemented since 2016 . The program  optimizes weekly face-to-face interactions between the mentors and the mentees with the key goal of boosting the entrepreneurial capacity through improved access to Mentorship, Money & Market (i.e., the 3Ms).

With the CoVid-19, the KMME-MME Online is developed as a practical delivery mechanism of the regular Kapatid Mentor ME Program and the Money Market Encounter in a digitalized form that will help our MSMEs to survive in spite of the unprecedented setbacks that their businesses confront during the COVID19 pandemic.

The KMME program has produced more than 100 graduates in Catanduanes since its pilot implementation. Earlier this year, Catanduanes also produced 8 mentee-graduates. (EAB-PIA5/Catanduanes)