COMMUNITY | Bukidnon MSMEs gain AI skills through DTI, PLDT, Smart program
The initiative is being carried out through DTI Bukidnon’s Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) Program, which provides business mentorship and digital learning opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
Young entrepreneurs and other micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Bukidnon are gaining access to artificial intelligence tools and digital skills through a partnership between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications Inc.
The initiative is being carried out through DTI Bukidnon’s Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) Program, which provides business mentorship and digital learning opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
One beneficiary, Ckyr Leonardo of Ckyr Sports Supplies Trading, joined the program while considering whether to continue his business. He said the mentorship helped him improve his approach to business strategy, financial planning, operations and long-term growth.
“There were moments when I felt lost. At one point, I was already thinking of closing my business. I walked into the DTI office simply hoping to find guidance,” Leonardo said.
Leonardo was later named the top graduate of Batch 18 after receiving recognition for having the best Business Improvement Plan. As one of the program’s top three graduates, he received an AI-in-a-Box package from PLDT and Smart containing a premium ChatGPT subscription, Smart Turbo WiFi device and Smart Prepaid load cards.
Leonardo said the tools would help him apply what he learned from the program to his business operations.
“Thank you, PLDT and Smart, for the package. The Smart Turbo WiFi will support our daily store operations by connecting our devices so we can better manage online clients and improve marketing efforts. The ChatGPT subscription will help us with content creation, accounting, document preparation, and product knowledge,” he said.
PLDT and Smart also conducted AI learning sessions for KMME participants, demonstrating ways to use AI for creating marketing materials and social media content and improving day-to-day business processes.
“Technology should empower entrepreneurs as much as possible. By supporting initiatives like DTI’s KMME mentorship program, we hope to arm MSMEs with the tools and skills to help them grow their businesses and become more competitive in this digital economy,” said Judee Chaves, Mindanao Relations Head of PLDT and Smart.
The partnership marks the second consecutive year that PLDT and Smart have worked with DTI Bukidnon to provide MSMEs with digital skills and technology.
DTI Bukidnon Provincial Director Famelah Racquel Villanueva said the partnership reflected the KMME program’s “Big Brother, Small Brother” approach by providing entrepreneurs with support beyond the mentorship sessions.
“PLDT and Smart have brought to life the very heart of the KMME-MME Program—the ‘Big Brother, Small Brother’ approach. They did not merely support the program from the sidelines; they walked alongside our entrepreneurs every step of the way. By sharing their expertise, encouraging innovation, and nurturing their potential, they helped transform knowledge into opportunity and aspirations into achievable goals,” Villanueva said.
The AI-in-a-Box program is part of PLDT and Smart’s Konekted for Livelihood advocacy. It provides communities and institutions with AI tools, connectivity and practical skills intended to address business and other real-world challenges.
Full disclosure: All news articles published on the TechSabado website are written by human journalists, unless otherwise specified. Final text editing is also performed by human editors, with artificial intelligence (AI) used only to assist with additional grammar and style guide corrections..
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Full disclosure: All news articles published on the TechSabado website are written by human journalists, unless otherwise specified. Final text editing is also performed by human editors, with artificial intelligence (AI) used only to assist with additional grammar and style guide corrections..
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