DTI-6 nurtures PWD youth entreps

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-6 Regional Director Rebecca M. Rascon challenged youth persons with disability (PWD) to establish and sustain their enterprises during the PWD Youth Entrepreneurship Training (YET) under the Youth Entrepreneurship Program.

“Let us not get tired of nurturing our PWD sector,” Director Rascon said, as she assured that DTI-6 will continue to integrate the PWD Youth and PWD Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in all its activities and programs.

Adopting its tagline HOORAY, which stands for Harnessing Our Own Resources for the Advancement of the Youth, the program encourages the young PWD entrepreneurs to become productive individuals through entrepreneurship.

HOORAY PWD 2021, is a program aimed to train the PWD Youth on entrepreneurial mindset and to provide them the basic knowledge on entrepreneurship and open opportunities for them to understand and act on their roles in economic development.

A total of 44 PWD Youth participants were trained on social and digital entrepreneurship and basics of entrepreneurships from July 14 to 28. The participants were coached by industry experts in their respective provinces.

The participants completed the program with business model canvass preparation and pitching their proposed businesses. A total of 15 PWD Youth participants advanced to the final pitching. The five topnotchers were:

1. Deborah Panela of Iloilo
2. Brylle Colin Deocampo of Capiz
3. Sharmaine Vego of Antique
4. Preamay Velarde of Iloilo
5. Liezel Cabaging of Iloilo

Bonifacio Castigador, chairperson of the Regional Officers of PWD, was grateful for the initiative of the DTI VI in introducing the program to the PWD Youth, likewise, inspiring them to continue pursuing their enterprises.

DTI VI Asst. Regional Director Ermelinda P. Pollentes congratulated the completers and assured that DTI VI will continue to open its doors for PWDs. ARD Pollentes thanked all the partners, coaches, mentors, judges and all the people behind the successful program.

This initiative was in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development-6 and GoNegosyo.