By: Delaila Irma T. Calindas, Project Technical Staff II

The 2025 batch of YEP–Project MARITES, a joint initiative of the Commission on Higher Education–Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CHED-UniFAST CAR) and the Department of Trade and Industry–CAR (DTI-CAR), was officially launched in a hybrid ceremony held at Ion Hotel, Legarda Road, Baguio City, and streamed live via Zoom and Facebook, on June 9, 2025.

The event marked the fourth year of the joint program, which aims to equip the youth, including student-grantees of the Tertiary Education Subsidy and Tulong Dunong Program, with entrepreneurial knowledge and skills.

Atty. Samuel Gallardo, Assistant Regional Director of DTI-CAR, formally opened the event and conveyed the felicitations of DTI-CAR Regional Director Atty. Raymond Panhon. In his remarks, Gallardo reaffirmed DTI’s commitment to supporting young entrepreneurs across the region.

CHED-CAR Regional Director Atty. Septon A. De La Cruz delivered an inspirational message, emphasizing the importance of nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets among student-grantees. He described Project MARITES as a testament to the agency’s commitment to youth empowerment and regional development.

UniFAST OIC Executive Director Atty. Ryan Estevez addressed the participants through a recorded video message. “We want to encourage students to think creatively, recognize opportunities, and build a better future. The best time to develop the mindset of being your own boss is now,” he said.

Program overviews were provided by Ms. Ricel Carbanilla, Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist of the DTI Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED), and Dr. Bernadette C. Pal-ec, Education Supervisor II and UniFAST Focal Person of CHED-CAR. Ms. Carbanilla presented the scope and milestones of the Youth Entrepreneurship Program, while Dr. Pal-ec shared that since its inception in 2022, Project MARITES has already benefited 199 student-grantees under the Free Higher Education, Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), and Tulong Dunong programs.

Three completers from previous batches also gave testimonials:

• Hanna Lei Pacito (Benguet State University), CHED Merit Scholar and founder of Silpo-Silpo Collection
• Jerald Encollado (Kalinga Province), founder of JE Dairy Farm
• Mico Lucian Gragasi (Ifugao Province), founder of Magnify Marketing Agency

Ms. Karen M. Lising, Chief Trade-Industry Development Specialist of DTI-CAR, presented the mechanics for joining the 2025 batch of Project MARITES. The program aims to train 120 youth participants this year.

The event concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Ma. Geraldine F. Casipit, Chief Education Program Specialist of CHED-CAR.

Applications for YEP–Project MARITES 2025 are open until June 27, 2025, with training sessions scheduled to begin on July 7, 2025.

The event was hosted by Mr. Dennis D. Guiniguin, faculty member of Cordillera Career Development College.