The Department of Trade and Industry – Laguna Provincial Office (DTI-Laguna), through its Negosyo Centers, conducted a livelihood orientation program entitled SMERA on Business Ideas, How to Start a Business, Entrepreneurial Mindsetting, Consumer Education, and DTI Programs and Services. The said event was held at Joaquin Chipeco Hall, Jose Rizal Memorial School, Central I, Calamba City, Laguna, on June 9, 2023, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The said livelihood orientation program started with preliminaries — prayer and singing of the national anthem — followed by the welcome remarks and reading of City Mayor Ross Rizal’s message. Ms. Lexi Jamora, Ms. Julie Canayon, Mr. Carl Villanueva, and Ms. Avegail Agojo served as DTI speakers for the topics Business Ideas, How to Start a Business, Entrepreneurial Mindsetting, and Consumer Education, respectively. An audio-visual presentation for DTI programs and services was also played during the event.
As part of the agency’s thrust to capacitate business owners to become more competitive, this seminar aims to equip trainees and graduates with the right mindset and know-how for becoming entrepreneurs so that they can utilize the knowledge and skills gained from attending the programs of Calamba Manpower Development Center. First, they were provided with the difference between business and entrepreneurship and the characteristics and traits an entrepreneur must possess. Then, they were also presented with small business ideas that require minimal capital to start with, the journey to becoming an entrepreneur, and the step-by-step process of starting a small business. By starting a business, one must also know their consumers’ rights and responsibilities, which will serve as an advantage for clients and customers.
The event concluded with a question-and-answer portion wherein participants were able to clarify some points and share their insights.