Ilocos norte: Young Ilocano entrepreneurs Precious Jamorabon, Jhem Kharl Molina, and Marvin Xavier Vea from Burgos and Solsona have gained confidence to advance their business ideas after emerging as grand prize winners in the Ilocos Norte government's annual Best Business Concept competition. The contest, part of the provincial Micro, Small, Medium and Enterprise Office (MSMEO)'s mentoring program, assists startups and local entrepreneurs in refining promising concepts through expert guidance and coaching.
According to Philippines News Agency, the program, open to all bona fide Ilocos Norte residents, aims to encourage more Ilocanos to venture into business and contribute to boosting the province's economy. The search is divided into two categories: food and non-food.
In the food category, business partners Jamorabon and Molina impressed judges with their handcrafted premium flavored salts, made from local sea salt and fresh herbs grown on their family-owned farm in Burgos. Their spicy-zest variant earned them a PHP30,000 cash prize, a plaque of recognition, and immediate product orders following their presentation at the Capitol Session Hall. Jamorabon expressed gratitude for the recognition, which reinforces their commitment to sustainable production and community-driven agribusiness.
Driven by a passion for quality farm-to-table products, Jamorabon credits the provincial government and institutions such as the Department of Trade and Industry and the Agriculture Training Institute for their support in sharing technical expertise and entrepreneurial insights. She emphasized the transformation of a simple farm-rooted idea into a business concept that thrives on innovation.
In the non-food category, Vea's A-framed movable hydroponics stood out with its smart, space-efficient system for producing fresh vegetables in urban areas. His innovation, ready for commercialization, also earned him a PHP30,000 cash incentive. Inspired by challenges such as limited land access and climate change, Vea developed the portable system to facilitate vegetable growing without land.
MSMEO head Elma Gabriel noted that their mentoring program has nurtured aspiring entrepreneurs and strengthened existing businesses over the past five years. Through initiatives like the Best Business Concept search, the provincial government aims to encourage more startups and help small and medium enterprises grow. Gabriel praised the participants' courage, creativity, and drive to turn ideas into meaningful change, hoping their journey inspires future innovations.
