MCCI urges individuals to become entrepreneurs

CEBU, Philippines - Considering Mandaue City as an industrial hub of the province, the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) urged individuals to become entrepreneurs and improve the quality of their lives.

MCCI President Philip Tan said that it has always been the thrust of the chamber to encourage entrepreneurship and support aspiring entrepreneurs.

He added that although one already has that spirit, the personality of being an entrepreneur should also be honed to be more successful.

“A country that has less entrepreneurs is not growing. Highly-developed countries are very strong. There is this disparity. However, being entrepreneurs doesn’t mean you need to have a very big company. You should have that entrepreneurial spirit and that spirit is already there,” he stated.

He also described entrepreneurship as a reward system, citing that given the right opportunities and the right mix, a businessman will earn and grow.

“To become an entrepreneur is not as easy as you think. It is difficult but MCCI is here to support you and mold you,” he continued.

Once they are already successful in the industry, he then reminded entrepreneurs to give back, reach out to the needy, look back to where they started and learn from it.

He further encouraged the youth to learn to become entrepreneurs by initiating start-up businesses.

Mandaue Business Month 2012 Chairman Girlie Garces said that more programs involving the youth, men and women could be expected from the chamber as part of its objective in enterprise development for the grassroots level.

One of the initiatives of MCCI, she added, is the Obra Negosyo Eskwela that aims to improve the lives of entrepreneurs all over the province and held them develop their skills.

“Once businesses thrive, the city would also prosper,” she said.

She also encouraged chamber members to strongly participate in corporate social responsibility.

Last August 1, MCCI launched the Search for W.I.N.N.E.Rs (Women in Need, Now Entrepreneurs and Role models) held at St. Theresa’s College Campus.

Now on its second season, MCCI intends to showcase model women micro-entrepreneurs from Mandaue City who are supporting their families and are struggling to rise from poverty though their business ventures.

Out of 70 candidates, top 20 micro-entrepreneurs will compete for the Grand Finals to be held at J Centre Mall Convention Center on August 28.

According to MCCI Vice President Carmel de Pio-Salvador who is also the chair of the Search for Winners, candidates will be judged based on their personality and self-confidence (25%), question and answer responses (25%), barangay support (20%) and inspirational stories of courage and perseverance (30%).

Tan, on the other hand, commended the women who are enthusiastic to strive towards success, serving as inspiration of the society.

He added that MCCI believes women empowerment can help alleviate the condition of the family.

He then revealed that the chamber looks into tapping the youth and men to be recognized as roles models in entrepreneurship by next year.