By Karren Jay G. Asgar
On June 27, 2026, the Young Entrepreneurs Society (YES) of the College of Business and Accountancy conducted Project Tinugyan: Kabilin sang Kauswagan para sa Anawim, an outreach program for the Anawim Community in Pototan, Iloilo.
The project forms part of YES’s continuing partnership with the community, which began in 2021 through Enactus CPU’s Project Green Thumb, a livelihood and entrepreneurship initiative, and continued through various extension and community development programs over the past five years.
Project Tinugyan delivered three major services: an Impact Study, a Mushroom Polvoron-Making Workshop, and a Pangkabuhayan Showcase. The Impact Study evaluated the long-term outcomes, relevance, sustainability, and effectiveness of YES’s previous extension programs through interviews and evaluation activities involving community members.
Through the impact study, 55 community participants shared their experiences and feedback regarding the organization’s initiatives, providing valuable insights that may help improve future extension programs while documenting the lasting impact of the partnership.
As part of the project’s livelihood development component, YES conducted a Mushroom Polvoron-Making Workshop to equip community members with practical food processing and entrepreneurial skills. The training was facilitated by Ms. Nelly Francisco Solivas, owner of Greendwarf, who shared her expertise in mushroom-based food processing and guided participants through the step-by-step preparation of mushroom polvoron.
Fifteen participants joined the hands-on workshop, where they learned the proper techniques for preparing, mixing, molding, and packaging mushroom polvoron. Each trainee received a starter kit containing essential ingredients and materials to support the application of their newly acquired skills and encourage small-scale livelihood opportunities.
The project also featured the Pangkabuhayan Showcase, where 55 beneficiaries received livelihood materials and starter equipment, including cooking pans, spatulas, measuring cups, mixing bowls, and other basic food production tools. The distribution aimed to help participants apply their skills, strengthen entrepreneurial capacity, and pursue sustainable income-generating activities.
Through Project Tinugyan, YES continues to support community empowerment by providing knowledge, resources, and opportunities that promote self-reliance and sustainable livelihood development. The initiative highlights the organization’s commitment to meaningful community engagement and long-term partnership through extension service.