Iloilo City, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Education (DepEd) forged a partnership to strengthen youth entrepreneurship education, focusing on the 31 farm schools in Western Visayas. During a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing ceremony at the DTI Region 6 office on March 26, both agencies committed to equip the next generation with essential business skills.
The DTI Region 6 and DepEd Region 6 offices are directly involved in this initiative, which aims to integrate entrepreneurial skills, financial literacy, and business development into the school curriculum of Western Visayas. The region is the only one in the country with this type of farm schools, making the partnership a significant step forward.
Under the agreement, the DTI will lead the program’s design and implementation, ensuring that the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) – You Can Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) aligns with national and regional business development strategies. The agency will also provide training modules, mentorship programs, resource mobilization, and student and teacher capacity-building initiatives. DTI resource persons will conduct training in business development, financing, operations, productivity, marketing, and startup innovation. This will ensure that farm school learners gain the necessary skills to develop and sustain their own businesses. Additionally, the DTI will assist in creating market linkages for farm school graduates, allowing them to participate in trade fairs and connect with potential customers.
Meanwhile, DepEd Region 6 will coordinate the 31 farm schools to ensure the successful integration of entrepreneurship education. It will provide training facilities, organize events, and encourage student participation in business-related activities. DepEd will also work closely with the DTI to ensure that teachers receive continuous training to enhance their ability to mentor students. With entrepreneurship now embedded in the farm school framework, students will have the opportunity to earn and manage their own finances, developing financial literacy at an early stage.
DTI 6 Regional Director Rachel N. Nufable highlighted the agency’s commitment to building entrepreneurial capacity not just among students but also teachers. This will ensure that farm school educators can guide learners in developing innovative, demand-driven business ideas. She emphasized the importance of resource mobilization, mentorship, and exposure to real-world market opportunities, noting that graduates of the program could eventually participate in trade fairs and industry linkages to scale their businesses.
DepEd 6 Regional Director Ramir B. Uytico stressed that financial literacy is key to empowering farm school students, allowing them to translate their education into real economic opportunities. He shared DepEd’s vision of enabling students to earn while they learn, equipping them with practical financial knowledge to manage their income and secure their future. He also reiterated that the long-term success of farm schools depends on continuous collaboration with the DTI to ensure that both learners and teachers are prepared for entrepreneurial success.
This collaboration highlights the role of education as a tool for poverty reduction and economic empowerment. By equipping farm school learners with entrepreneurial knowledge and practical business skills, the partnership ensures that students will graduate not only as skilled farmers but also as entrepreneurs capable of managing their own agribusinesses.
With Region 6 leading the way in this initiative, both agencies are dedicated to making farm schools a model for innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. This partnership will continue to evolve, providing new opportunities for farm school graduates to thrive in the business sector. ♦
Date of Release: 27 March 2025