A large group of people gathered in a spacious event hall for the Davao Region's 1st regional mentorship event for MSMEs. The attendees are posing for a group photo, with some standing on stage and others around round tables. A banner in the background reads "KMME KONEK 2023".

A total of 130 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) gathered in Davao City last July 5, for the inaugural KMME Konek 2025: Unlocking Smart Growth and Franchise Potential. Spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 11, the event at Acacia Hotel in Lanang marked a dynamic convergence of mentorship, growth, and opportunity for graduates of the Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) Program and other entrepreneurs from across the Davao Region.

The KMME Konek officially launched Davao Region’s celebration of MSME Week 2025, anchored on the theme: “Asenso Negosyo, Angat Kabuhayan: Bagong Pilipinas.” This sets the stage for a transformative week as DTI Region 11 champions the growth and development of local enterprises.

“Our gathering today affirms our observance of MSME Week, as mandated by Republic Act No. 9501, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for MSMEs. It’s a meaningful event to honor the vital contributions of our micro, small, and medium enterprises to economic development and nation-building,”stated DTI 11 Regional Director Romeo Castañaga during the opening program.

The KMME Konek 2025 achieved significant outcomes:

  • 130 MSMEs actively participated in the KMME Konek.
  • Over 20 MSMEs completed on-the-spot registration for the Lazada Philippines online platform.
  • More than 10 MSMEs availed of free consultation sessions with Francorp Philippines regarding franchising.

The KMME Konek 2025 is perfectly aligned with DTI Secretary Roque’s five-point agenda, emphasizing mentoring, franchising, and digitalization. This strategic framework guides DTI’s efforts to foster a dynamic, inclusive, and globally competitive business environment. The event highlighted the importance of equipping entrepreneurs with essential knowledge and practical skills for sustainable growth through programs like the KMME, which provides tailored guidance to unlock business potential.

Moreover, DTI actively promotes franchising as a core strategy for accelerating business development. The event featured a dedicated session on “How to Franchise Your Business” in partnership with the Philippines Franchise Association and Francorp Philippines, opening up new possibilities for expansion.

The importance of digitalizing businesses was also a key theme, with insights from Lazada Philippines and success stories from KMME graduates and MSMEs who have leveraged online platforms to expand their markets.

DTI Regional Operations Group (ROG) Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, who graced the event representing Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, emphasized that the KMME Konek is “more than a celebration, this event is a strategic move—a space to forge new connections, embrace emerging trends, and open doors for collaboration. It is rooted in Republic Act 10644, or the Go Negosyo Act, which calls for stronger mentorship as a key driver of MSME growth.” To date, DTI Region 11 has successfully produced 984 KMME graduates across the region. Interested MSMEs who aspire to be the next mentees of the KMME Online Program are encouraged to coordinate with their nearest Negosyo Center or DTI Office. ♦

Date of Release: 11 July 2025