AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee (Rep. Lee's office)

AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee is eyeing a "Shark Tank"-style initiative to help budding Filipino entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground.

Shark Tank is a popular program in the United States (US) that features business magnates and investors like Mark Cuban. In it, the venture capitalists listen to sales pitches from entrepreneurs and then decide whether or not to invest these business proposals.

Lee, a rookie solon in the 19th Congress, announced this program in his speech Friday, June 9 during the 36th Commencement Exercises of Sorsogon State University (SORSU) where he was the keynote speaker.

He said he aims to form a group of investors that would solicit business proposals from young entrepreneurs all over the country, including Sorsogon, his native province.

Technically, Lee himself is qualified to join the investors panel, being the founder of the LKY Group of Companies.

"Iikot ang ating team of investors sa buong bansa, pupuntahan natin lahat ng 82 probinsya, at makikinig sa iba’t ibang business ideas. Ang mga mapipili, tutulungan natin sa kapital at pagpapalago ng kanilang negosyo (Our team of investors will look around the country, we'll go to all 82 provinces and listen to different business ideas. Those who will be chosen would get capital and expansion assistance from us)," he explained.

"Gusto natin na ma-engganyo silang gamitin ang kanilang husay at talino hindi lang para mapaunlad ang sarili, kundi para makatulong din sa ating mga kababayan (We want to encourage them to use their skills and smarts not only to help themselves, but also their countrymen)," Lee said, referring to young entrepreneurs.

The self-made businessman whose family businesses now employ over 3,000 Filipinos added that one of his objectives is to convince young Filipinos that they need not look abroad for employment or livelihood opportunities.

Lee is currently serving his first term in the House of Representatives, where he represents the agriculture and fisheries sector and fights for the interests and rights of the marginalized. At present he sits in 24 Congressional committees and is the author of more than 120 bills.

From modest beginnings in Sorsogon, Bicol, where his father opened his first Goodluck Store 60 years ago, Lee grew his father’s business into the LKY Group of Companies, which has interests in the retail, food, construction, real estate and hospitality sectors.