The Department of Trade and Industry Region 3 (DTI-3), in partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) – Go Negosyo, has officially launched the first batch of its 2025 Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) Program, welcoming 48 micro and small entrepreneurs from across Central Luzon.

The KMME Program is DTI’s flagship mentoring initiative designed to help MSMEs scale up through a structured 10-module course. Mentees will receive intensive coaching from seasoned mentors in areas such as marketing, financial management, business planning, and product development. The program culminates in the presentation of a business improvement plan before a panel of industry experts.

The batch includes participants from the provinces of Aurora (6), and seven each from Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales. The mentees represent diverse sectors including food processing, agribusiness, health and wellness, garments, trading, and services.

In her message during the launch, DTI-3 Regional Director Edna D. Dizon highlighted the KMME Program’s role in strengthening MSMEs by building resilience and competitiveness. She urged participants to maximize the learning opportunity and engage meaningfully with their mentors and peers.

Since its inception in 2016, the KMME Program has produced hundreds of graduates in Region 3, many of whom have successfully grown their businesses and contributed to local job creation. The 2025 Batch 1 launch reaffirms DTI’s commitment to empowering local entrepreneurs and advancing inclusive growth in Central Luzon.