RDC VI presents DOST strategies for Startups in Western Visayas
Iloilo City — The Economic Development Committee (EDC) of the Regional Development Council VI (RDC VI) approves the policy recommendation on the Startup Ecosystem in Western Visayas during its 1st Quarter Meeting on March 8, 2022. The proposal was presented by Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga, Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology Region VI (DOST VI).
The presentation highlighted the existing Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) in Region VI, including the different DOST Programs for Startups, growth prospects, and the policy recommendations to further improve the startup ecosystem.
A strong start-up ecosystem was recognized as among the seven (7) innovation pillars of Innovate Iloilo, a public-private movement that aims to make the city & province of Iloilo a premier innovation hub of the Philippines by 2030. It hopes to improve information and communications technology (ICT) and other critical infrastructure, improve the business ecosystem, strengthen government-industry-academe linkages, increase the number of TBIs, accelerators, and innovation centers, and increase the number of intellectual property assets generated including creative goods and services, among others.
EDC’s primary role is to craft and propose policies for recommendation to RDC VI. Presided by EDC Chairperson Francisco E. Gentoral, the policy recommendation was endorsed for approval, recommending issuance of an RDC VI resolution on the creation of a Regional Startup Development Program. This initiative will harmonize and unify all the programs and projects not only of the national government agencies (NGAs) but also that of the local government units (LGUs) and the private sector. It will be formalized through a multi-stakeholder committee to be headed by DOST VI and the Department of Trade and Industry Region VI (DTI VI).