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

The YEP-Project MARITES 2024 has successfully concluded its Abra Provincial Leg, with 24 aspiring young entrepreneurs completing the training held from August 6-9, 2024, at Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology-Main Campus. Among the participants, 15 are beneficiaries of the Free Higher Education Program under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA), and 11 of them also receive support through the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES).

The training was led by Ms. Marsha Pasong of the Department of Trade and Industry – Cordillera Administrative Region (DTI-CAR) and Ms. Eleanor Saludares of DTI Ifugao Provincial Office, who served as the master trainers. Throughout the four-day program, participants were guided through the essentials of entrepreneurship, including mindset development, crafting business models, and refining their business ideas. The training provided these young entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed to turn their ideas into successful ventures.

Project MARITES, brainchild of CHED-CAR Regional Director Dr. Demetrio P. Anduyan Jr, is a collaboration between CHED-CAR and DTI-CAR which aims to empower UAQTEA beneficiaries by equipping them with entrepreneurial skills. Since its inception, the program has played a crucial role in helping young individuals across the Cordillera region to explore entrepreneurship as a viable path to personal and economic growth.

As these 24 participants, particularly the 15 UAQTEA beneficiaries, step forward with newfound confidence and skills, they are better prepared to contribute to their communities and pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations. The YEP-Project MARITES continues to provide valuable opportunities for the youth, fostering innovation and economic empowerment throughout the region.