60 young entrepreneurs complete DTI bootcamp in Visayas

Sixty young entrepreneurs from across Western Visayas recently completed a three-day intensive business training program, with five participants earning top recognition in a final pitching competition.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Program – Bootcamp for Young Entrepreneurs (YEP BYE) 2025, held from July 30 to August 1 at Westown Hotel in Iloilo City, brought together entrepreneurs and business operators from the region’s six provinces for comprehensive development training.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region VI Regional Director Rachel Nufable personally attended the closing ceremony to congratulate the participants on their achievements.

“These young changemakers have shown what it means to be driven, creative, and ready to level up,” Nufable said. “From developing their business improvement plans to crafting compelling pitches, they’ve proven themselves ready to lead with purpose in their communities.”

Among the 60 participants, 20 advanced to the final pitching competition, where they presented refined business strategies to an expert panel of judges.

The top five winners showcased diverse and impactful enterprises across Western Visayas.

Marian Jacinth Delgado of Aklan earned top honors with Ati-Atihan Avenue Food Park, the province’s first food hub supporting local vendors.

Mar John Morales of Northern Iloilo impressed judges with CentLes Vineyard, cultivating more than 50 premium grape varieties.

Shilyn Ann Sambas of Tashi Mushroom Farm promoted sustainable farming through organic mushrooms and value-added products.

Jude Patrick Ruiz Delfin of Capiz presented Judelights Enterprise, which turns surplus kalabasa into local delicacies while supporting farmers.

Jave Espada of Bago City highlighted Espada Café and Restobar, a thriving business serving the community since 2018.

The bootcamp focused on four key business areas: building a strong business identity, applying design thinking and the business model canvas, adopting customer-centric marketing with digital transformation, and understanding essential finance functions.

During the opening ceremony, DTI VI Officer in Charge–Assistant Regional Director Mutya Eusores told participants that entrepreneurs often miss opportunities because they come disguised as hard work.

“We encouraged participants to treat this bootcamp as an investment that should result in measurable outcomes,” Eusores said. “Whether launching new ventures or strengthening existing businesses, the goal is tangible growth and sustainable impact.”

Nufable assured all participants that DTI will continue to support their entrepreneurial journey beyond the bootcamp.

The program reflects DTI’s strategic commitment to nurturing youth-led innovation and strengthening the region’s micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector.

The successful completion of YEP BYE 2025 highlights a promising future for entrepreneurship in Western Visayas, with participants poised to build purpose-driven enterprises that contribute to regional economic development.