31/07/2026
โ๐๐จ๐๐จ๐๐๐๐๐โ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ โ๐๐จ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ง ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌโ ๐๐จ๐๐จ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐๐ก ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
July 30,2026||CAGDIANAO, Dinagat Islands โ The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) โ Province of Dinagat Islands conducted the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) "You Can Be Your Own Boss: Coco Pitch โ Business Pitching on Coconut-Based Products" from July 27 to 30, 2026, in the Municipality of Cagdianao.
The culminating activity featured a business pitching competition where youth participants presented innovative coconut-based business concepts. The participants exhibited their creativity, entrepreneurial mindset, market potential, and commitment to sustainability by applying the knowledge and skills they acquired throughout the four-day training.
Emerging as the champion was "CocoBLOBS," a coconut-based soap inspired by the Gen Z slang "blobs," referring to bubbles. The winning team was composed of Ma. Cyla Oinal Longos, Nikka Berioso Gilbero, and Ginalyn Adajar Pejer.
The first runner-up team was composed of A***n Pearl A. Dugenio, Collyne Kim L. Floria, and James Brian S. Montejo, who developed Eco-Conut Briquettes, an environmentally friendly fuel alternative made from coconut waste. Jericho D. Jardenil secured the second runner-up award for Coco Sugar, a business concept promoting value-added coconut products.
The winning teams impressed the judges with business proposals that demonstrated innovation, feasibility, sustainability, and strong market potential, reflecting the entrepreneurial capabilities of the youth in Cagdianao.
The business proposals were evaluated by a panel of judges composed of Mr. Jumar Llorente (DTI), Ms. Grace Villapando (PEDIPO), Ms. Merlie Bantayanon (DOLE), Ms. Ivy Ignalig (Philippine Coconut Authority), and Engr. Armel Curada (DOST). The panel gave valuable recommendations and constructive feedback to help participants further improve their business ideas and prepare them for future entrepreneurial opportunities.
Through the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) "You Can Be Your Own Boss: Coco Pitch," DTI continues to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among young Filipinos by promoting innovation, strengthening business skills, and encouraging the development of sustainable enterprises using locally available resources. The initiative affirms the Province of Dinagat Islands' commitment to developing the next generation of entrepreneurs and supporting inclusive local economic growth.