The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) conferred the Injap Sia Outstanding Young Entrepreneurs Award (ISOYEA) to three young and dynamic entrepreneurs during the 49th Philippine Business Conference & Expo last Oct. 26 at the Manila Hotel.
PCCI recognized Red Gate Farm Supplies Proprietor Nelson B. Diona for the agriculture category; Likhang Maragondon Native Products and Trading Owner Catherine U. Diquit for the industry category; and Wela Online Corp. CEO and Co-Founder John Vincent Fiel for the service category.
Diona owns Red Gate Farm Supplies, a local manufacturer of animal feeds for hogs, poultry, cattle, and fish in the province.
The company’s journey to success is marked by innovation and support from the Department of Science and Technology-Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (DOST-SETUP).
This support program enabled the fabrication of Diona’s ‘semi-automated feed milling assembly’ which enhanced the company’s production capacity enabling it to broaden and extend its market share in the province.
Aside from developing technologies for his company’s own use, Diona also helps farmers and fisherfolk mechanize and automate their production and harvesting processes through the introduction of technology.
All his inventions are currently registered with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). Currently, Red Gate awaits the release of the UM registration from IPOPHL.
Meanwhile, Diquit launched Likhang Maragondon to empower the residents of Maragondon, Cavite, by creating livelihood opportunities for a diverse range of individuals.
This inclusive approach has opened new doors for working students, stay-at-home moms, fathers, artists, craft enthusiasts, undergraduates, and even senior citizens.
Likhang Maragondon managed to produce two innovative products including a bamboo-foot presser dispenser, and a hand-woven face mask that complies with the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID), Department of Science and Technology, and World Health Organization (WHO) recommended specifications for non-medical face masks suitable for community use.
The products of Likhang Maragondon are now marketed in 13 regions in the country and exported to 33 countries.
Wela Online Corp., founded by Fiel, originated as an automated grading system for local schools and expanded its operation through the support of Ideaspace Foundation and capital investment from Leave a Nest, a Japanese company based in Tokyo.
In 2019, the company became actively engaged in the application process for the DOST-PCIEERD Startup Grant, which was granted to them and consequently opened support and funding for their research.
As of today, Wela is on a trajectory of growth and expansion. It currently serves more than 300 private schools in the country and is present in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Japan.
The three winners were selected by a panel of judges composed of business and government leaders.
Chairing the panel was Pamela Pascual, President and CEO of World Trade Center Management, while judges were composed of DOST Assistant Secretary Napoleon Juanillo Jr.; Philippine Retailers Association Vice Chairman Mr. Lorenzo Formoso; Adamson University Center for Research and Development Executive Director Dr. Nuna Almanzor; OmniPay Inc. Director Romualdo Ventura; and Agriculture and Fishery Committee Co-Chair Salvador Salacup.
Executive Secretary Hon. Justice Lucas P. Bersamin led the presentation of the award along with PCCI President George T. Barcelon; PCCI Chairman William Co, PCCI Honorary Chair and Treasurer Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr.; PCCI Chairman of Council of Business Leaders Jose T. Pardo; 49th PBC&E Chair Arch. Felino A. Palafox Jr.; 2023 ISOYEA Chair and Director for SME development Apolinar E. Aure; and 2023 ISOYEA Co-Chair and President of the Philippine Young Entrepreneurs Association Charmaine Co.
Named after one of the most successful and respected young entrepreneurs in the country – Double Dragon Corporation Chairman Edgar “Injap” Sia II – the PCCI Injap Sia Award is an annual award that recognizes young entrepreneurs who have made a significant contribution to the economic development of the country by innovating new ideas, developing new markets, and generating jobs.