Cavite State University – Carmona Campus, through the Extension Services Office and the Department of Management, in partnership with e-Management Circle and the Junior Marketing Association, successfully conducted “Know Your Cost: A Beginner’s Guide to Inclusive Enterprise Product Costing,” a capacity-building activity designed to strengthen participants’ understanding of product costing as a vital component of sustainable and inclusive enterprise development on December 10, 2025.

The program formally opened with welcome remarks from Dr. Michael G. Consignado, chairperson, who underscored the importance of accurate costing in ensuring enterprise viability, especially for small-scale and community-based businesses. To gauge participants’ initial knowledge, a pre-assessment was administered, setting the baseline for the learning sessions that followed.

The first two sessions, Understanding Product Costing and Cost Components Explained, were facilitated by Asst. Prof. Melody N. Plaza, faculty extensionist. These discussions introduced essential costing concepts, including direct and indirect costs, overhead allocation, and the role of costing in pricing and profit planning. The sessions emphasized how inclusive enterprises can remain competitive while maintaining affordability and fairness.

Building on these concepts, Mr. Antonino Jose L. Bayson, department extension coordinator, led the guided costing exercises, where participants applied theoretical knowledge through hands-on activities. The interactive session enabled participants to compute costs, analyze expenses, and appreciate the practical challenges faced by micro and small enterprises. An open forum and reflection activity followed, allowing participants to clarify ideas and share insights gained from the exercises.

A key highlight of the program was the presentation and discussion of research-based enterprise development projects that demonstrated real-world applications of product costing. These studies showed how proper costing directly supports production efficiency, pricing strategies, and market sustainability:

• Production and Marketing of Panlad Lemonade (Sweet Rush Enterprise) by Anne-dhine T. Domdom, Darvin B. Elenzano, Jesson I. Mirando, Jericho S. Santiago, Antonino Jose L. Bayson, and Evelyn O. Papa illustrated how detailed cost analysis guided raw material sourcing, pricing, and profitability of a beverage enterprise.

• Production and Marketing of Sweet Gleams (NutriSip Enterprise) by Kahne Ivan Cuesta, Justin Marquez, Paulo Sta. Clara, Antonino Jose L. Bayson, and Carlo Emil B. Mañabo showcased the use of product costing in developing a nutritious drink product, highlighting how accurate cost computation supported marketing decisions and enterprise sustainability.

These research presentations reinforced the session theme by demonstrating how academic research and enterprise development planning (EDP) can translate into viable livelihood and business models when grounded in sound costing practices.

The program also featured Costing for Livelihood Ideas, shared by Ms. Princess E. Sale, a CvSU alumna and BSBA Marketing Management graduate. Drawing from industry and entrepreneurial experience, she discussed practical costing considerations for livelihood products such as food items and craft-based enterprises, further bridging theory and practice.

The activity concluded with a post-assessment, sharing of feedback, awarding of certificates, and closing remarks from Dr. Carlo Emil B. Mañabo, Department Secretary of Management. The overall activity successfully enhanced participants’ appreciation of product costing as a foundational tool for inclusive enterprise development, empowering them to apply learned concepts in future research, livelihood initiatives, and entrepreneurial ventures.