16/08/2026
From Opportunity to Success: The Journey of Jeyza E. Veras
In 2016, Ms. Jeyza E. Veras established Rock Island Resort in Barangay Cambatong, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, to provide comfortable and accessible accommodation to tourists visiting the renowned Enchanted River.
A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Criminology, Ms. Veras never initially planned to enter the tourism industry. However, she saw the growing number of tourists visiting Enchanted River as an opportunity to provide much-needed accommodation and tourism services. What started as a simple business opportunity eventually grew into a thriving enterprise and a source of livelihood for local workers and suppliers.
As the business expanded, Ms. Veras faced various challenges, including increasing demand for accommodation, food, and tour services; customer concerns; employee absences; power interruptions; facility maintenance; and competition. She personally managed sales, finances, taxes, and other essential business responsibilities. Rather than being discouraged, she viewed these challenges as opportunities to learn, improve, and strengthen her business.
Her journey was further supported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through Negosyo CenterโHinatuan. She participated in various capability-building programs, including Digital Marketing, which enhanced her skills in using social media and digital platforms to promote her business and reach more customers. She also availed herself of the Small Business Corporation (SBC) loan program, which provided financial assistance to support business operations. Her participation in the DTI Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) Program further strengthened her knowledge and skills in business management, marketing, financial management, and strategic planning.
With the knowledge, skills, and financial support gained from these interventions, Rock Island Resort improved its operations and diversified its services. From initially offering accommodation, the business expanded into food and catering services, tour packages, souvenirs, and other tourism-related services. This allowed the resort to serve a wider range of clients, including private customers, government agencies, and organizations, resulting in more stable sales and sustained income growth.
Today, Rock Island Resort continues to contribute to the local tourism economy by providing tourism services, creating livelihood opportunities, and supporting local suppliers. Through her entrepreneurial journey, Ms. Veras has become a more resilient, strategic, and adaptable entrepreneur who values continuous learning, innovation, and responsiveness to customer needs.
Looking ahead, she envisions Rock Island Resort as a community-based and sustainable tourism enterprise that supports local workers and contributes to community development. She aims to further expand the business, improve its services, and adopt sustainable practices while maintaining customer satisfaction, employee welfare, and environmental responsibility.
Ms. Verasโs story demonstrates that entrepreneurial success is not the absence of challenges, but the courage to learn, adapt, and move forward. From recognizing an opportunity in the growing tourism industry to building a diversified and resilient enterprise, her journey is a testament to perseverance, continuous learning, and entrepreneurial determination.
Rock Island Resort can be reached by boat from the Enchanted River or through Barangay Cambatong, with an estimated sailing time of 10โ15 minutes.
DTI Caraga
