Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF) strengthened its commitment to poverty reduction and economic empowerment in 2025 through its DOLE-OUT community extension initiative, which provided entrepreneurship education and financial literacy training to beneficiaries of government social welfare and livelihood programs.
Implemented by the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) in collaboration with the Community Relations Department (CRD) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the initiative supported community members associated with the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
The program aimed to develop participants' knowledge of financial management and entrepreneurship, providing foundational skills relevant to livelihood development and small business planning.
Supporting entrepreneurship through the DOLE-OUT Program
The initiative formed part of the University's DOLE-OUT Program, which stands for Developing Opportunities, Leadership, Empowerment for Cash Transfer Program Beneficiaries Towards Entrepreneurship – Ownership, Unity and Transformation.
Through this community extension initiative, MSEUF connected business education with the needs of community members seeking opportunities to strengthen their livelihoods.
The program emphasized financial literacy and entrepreneurial knowledge as important foundations for making informed financial decisions and preparing for possible business activities.
By working with DSWD and community partners, the University extended educational resources to beneficiaries of social welfare and livelihood programs.
Providing financial literacy and business development education
On Jan. 11, 2025, MSEUF conducted Hatid-Kaalaman sa Pagnenegosyo in collaboration with the Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, CRD, DSWD, and the Lucena City local government.
The initiative provided entrepreneurship and financial literacy training to parents of 4Ps beneficiaries.
Participants received instruction on starting small businesses, managing finances, and planning for long-term business sustainability.
Through these learning activities, MSEUF sought to strengthen participants' understanding of financial responsibility and the practical considerations involved in developing livelihood opportunities.
The initiative demonstrated how academic expertise in business and financial management could support community members preparing for entrepreneurial activities.
Recognizing 34 financial literacy program completers
On April 3, 2025, the MSEUF Community Extension Service recognized 34 completers from the first batch of the Financial Literacy Program under DOLE-OUT.
The recognition acknowledged participants who completed the program's financial literacy learning activities.
The University also recognized the contributions of Prof. Lucila Pedegloria, Community Extension Service chairperson, and Dr. Mandy Baldovino, who were acknowledged in the official activity report.
The completion of the first batch represented a documented accomplishment of MSEUF's community-based financial education efforts.
Through the program, the University provided participants with learning opportunities intended to strengthen their financial knowledge and preparation for possible entrepreneurial activities.
Strengthening collaboration for community livelihood development
MSEUF's collaboration with DSWD connected the University's educational resources with government programs supporting households experiencing financial and livelihood challenges.
The involvement of the College of Business and Accountancy and Community Relations Department demonstrated the University's approach to delivering community extension activities through academic expertise and institutional partnerships.
Through entrepreneurship education, the DOLE-OUT Program aimed to help beneficiaries develop the knowledge necessary to explore small business opportunities and manage financial resources more effectively.
These efforts supported the University's commitment to extending education beyond the classroom and addressing community needs through practical learning.
Connecting entrepreneurship education with access to financial resources
Financial literacy and business development education can help individuals prepare for the responsibilities associated with establishing and managing small enterprises.
Through DOLE-OUT, MSEUF introduced participants to concepts relevant to business planning, financial management, and livelihood sustainability.
Such knowledge may help potential entrepreneurs understand how to evaluate business opportunities and manage available financial resources.
However, the University's published recognition report does not establish whether MSEUF provided direct financial assistance to participants, including start-up grants, microloans, seed capital, or other forms of business financing.
The report also does not identify how many program completers subsequently established businesses or received financial assistance through government livelihood programs.
Additional documentation is therefore necessary to establish whether the initiative included a financial assistance component beyond entrepreneurship and financial literacy education.