Legazpi City, Albay – The DBA113C Class of the Ateneo de Naga University Graduate School, in partnership with Bicol University, successfully conducted its Service-Learning Activity (SLA) entitled “THINK GLOBAL, START LOCAL: Workshop on Effective Business Practices for Micro Business Enterprises” on October 25, 2025, at the Covered Courts, Barangay Bagacay, Legazpi City.
The one-day seminar-workshop gathered farmers, fisherfolk, and micro business enterprise (BMBE) owners of Barangay Bagacay to strengthen their entrepreneurial capacities and address challenges in sustaining local enterprises.
Two sessions were delivered during the workshop. Rene Jelly discussed “Hidden Costs and Smarter Business Practices”, emphasizing the importance of identifying transaction costs such as transportation, permits, and middleman fees that reduce income and how to minimize these through smarter business strategies. Meanwhile, Bryan E. Azotillo presented “From Local to Global – Market Linkages and Opportunities”, highlighting the potential of Bagacay’s products to reach wider markets through improved packaging, branding, and sustainable market connections.
In her message, Dr. Debbie A. Adriano, Professor of the DBA113C Class, underscored the value of the SLA as “one way of bringing equal opportunities to all the members of the community because they are important members of the community.” She emphasized that activities such as these embody Ateneo’s mission to serve, educate, and empower people at the grassroots level.
Prof. Mary Anne L. Ansano, Extension Coordinator of Bicol University – College of Business, Economics and Management (BU-CBEM) and Project Leader of Karangalan sa Kaalaman at Ugnayan na naging Gabay para sa Organisasyon at Sangkatauhan (KUGOS), also expressed her gratitude for the collaboration: “We are grateful for this partnership that allows us to deliver services to the communities through the Service Learning Activity, and we look forward to many more engagements like this in the future.”
This initiative corresponds to the mission of Ateneo de Naga University which commits to the integral formation of men and women for others, fostering love of country, service of faith that promotes justice, and contributing to the transformation of society. By applying classroom concepts to community realities, the DBA113C class demonstrated how academic learning can empower grassroots enterprises while cultivating Ignatian values of service, justice, and excellence.
The SLA was facilitated by the DBA113C students: Bryan Azotillo, Caryl Barbacena, Joyce Camille T. Cepe, Mary Jane De Leon, Rene Jelly, Jennifer Lagdaan, Jinky Navia, and Samuel Rogando Jr. Together with their partners from Bicol University, they exemplified the Jesuit ideal of finding God in all things by sharing their time, knowledge, and expertise in service to the community of Bagacay.
Prepared by:
Joyce Camille Cepe
DBA Student
