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

Young Cordilleran innovators took center stage as the Commission on Higher Education–Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (CHED-UniFAST CAR) and the Department of Trade and Industry–Cordillera Administrative Region (DTI-CAR) concluded the 2025 Youth Entrepreneurship Program – Project MARITES (Mobilizing Available Resources through Inclusive Training on Entrepreneurship of Student-Grantees) through the Regional Youth Business Pitch Competition held on October 28, 2025, at Newtown Plaza Hotel, Baguio City.

Emerging as this year’s Champion was Lloyd Bryan A. Saysay of Benguet State University with his eco-conscious venture, Sip and Bit Edible Cups. He was followed by Ganayo Zagada B. Pekas of Mountain Province State University with Binnadang Hub as 1st Runner-Up, and Jasmine D. Hadsan, also from Benguet State University, with Kashyana as 2nd Runner-Up.

The winners also bagged special citations, with Binnadang Hub recognized as the Most Innovative Business Idea, Sip and Bit Edible Cups as the Green Excellence Awardee, and Kashyana as the Most Sustainable Business Idea.

A total of 12 finalists representing all six provinces of the Cordillera showcased their business pitches before a distinguished panel of judges composed of Mr. Elmer Macalingay, Owner of Health 100 Restoreant; Mr. Shawnie Dale Bitso, Owner of Sanagi Farm and 2023 Young Farmers Challenge Champion; Mr. Wilson Capuyan II, Founder of Pixels and Metrics; Ms. Avereen Tibalao, Business Development Associate of UP SILBI; and Ms. Marsha Pasong, Trade-Industry Development Specialist and Project MARITES Master Trainer during its first three years.

Launched in 2022, the YEP – Project MARITES is a joint initiative of CHED-UniFAST CAR and DTI-CAR, in collaboration with the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the region. The program seeks to empower student-grantees and young Cordillerans to turn their innovative ideas into sustainable business ventures. For Batch 2025, a total of 114 young entrepreneurs successfully completed the training, bringing the program’s overall number of completers to 480 since its inception.

The culminating event was attended by CHED-CAR Regional Director Dr. Jimmy G. Catanes, DTI-CAR Regional Director Atty. Raymond G. Panhon, and DTI-CAR Assistant Regional Director Atty. Samuel Gallardo, who lauded the participants for their creativity and commitment to driving local innovation.

Through YEP-Project MARITES, CHED-UniFAST CAR and DTI-CAR continue to champion youth entrepreneurship as a pathway toward inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the Cordillera.