By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
MARIKINA CITY — The PH Startup Week (Nov. 10-14) 2025 (PHSW25) is being held here at the Philippine Innovation Hub with the theme: “Scaling Filipino Innovation: Start Local, Go Global”.
At the PHSW25 press conference on Tuesday (Nov. 11), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Dr. Leah Buendia said that on the Innovative Startup Act (RA 11337) and the ISA Steering Committee, on behalf of the Steering Committee, she welcomed all the participants in the event for today.
Buendia also extended her gratitude to the NDC for hosting the PHSW25. Signed by the then President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
DICT, DOST AND DTI led the implementation of the RA 11337 and the ISA Steering Committee has the mandate to implement the program, the chairmanship of which, is rotational among the DICT, DOST, and the DTI.
Other relevant government agencies are also welcome to be members of the Steering Committee.
The Philippines at the Global Startup Ecosystem Ranking. “We remain stable in our ASEAN Ranking,” Buendia said.
“The Philippines ranks high globally in transportation, e-commerce and retail,” she added.Buendia said that the commitment of each agency in the ISA was commendable.
The accomplishment of the Isa is elevated to the NIC, which has the funding, because for the longest funding, there was no funding.
Because of the egov which was stopped, and proceeded with the new leadership.
How to delineate the ISA from the NIC.
ISA had the strategic plan with the USAID. ISA para sa lahat.
Number of startups that received venture funding increased by 25%. Funding for regional startup ecosystem development increased by 90%, including the Negros Island Region with a total funding of P228 million.
Iloilo, Cauayan and Solana are the 3 new Philippine Cities in the Startup
P2.1 billion is the government funding support for the Philippine startup ecosystem, with 212 startups funded, 158 TBIs and Innovation Hubs established, 2,233 incubated startup hubs.
When it was signed into law, there was no funding. Ilano said the good thing is the collaboration of the three government agencies where the DOST is focused on technology, DTI on trade and the DICT on the ICT.
Buendia said that the commitment of each agency in the ISA was commendable.
The accomplishment of the Isa is elevated to the NIC, which has the funding, because for the longest funding, there was no funding.
“We provide support to sttartups in exhibits. The new procurement act which provides that the startup product will be purchased by the government,” Buendia said.
“We should patronize our own startups products, with the help of the NDC and other agencies, the startups will be assisted,” she added.
“Actually, we are here to get much information and knowledge to help in the implementation of ISA,” Buendia said.
“It’s not about having many startups, but those with high impact ones should get the funding,” she added.
“We have been lobbying for funding year in year out but up until now, there’s no funding. We don’t have the luxury of funding since 2019,” Buendia said.
Jhino Ilano, Director of Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), said that one of the thrusts of Sec. Henry Aguda is connectivity which is linked with” Konektadong Pinoy” and decongesting Manila where most of the startups are located.
“There is also the safe free DICT wifi and the startup ecosystem can also participate in satellite connectivity,” Ilano said.
Ilano stressed that Sec. Aguda would continue with what has been started with the transfer from DOST to DICT.
“Wel’l be working with other menbers of the ISA Steering Committee to fuly implement the ISA, together with the NIC,” Iano said.
Ilano said the good thing is the collaboration of the three government agencies where the DOST is focused on technology, DTI on trade and the DICT on the ICT.
Saturnino H. Mejia, General Manager of National Development Company (NDC), said that he started with ISA during the time it was conceived under RA 11337 and there was no funding.
“During the deliberations of ISA on the IRR, it took a while,” Mejia said.
The DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez, he told the Isa Ssteering Committee to put up the P500 million funding, but because of the Covid-19, the funding had to be rechanneled.
Mejia added that they were invited last September in Russia to sign an MOU just like the Silicon Valley to bring in the Filipino startups in Russia.
Jo-Dann Darong, Director of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), said “we see that’ the new sttartups are filling in the gaps.”
The ISA Chairmanship is transferred from DOST to the DICT.
Darong is happy to be back in the ISA Family representing the DTI.
The startups in the Philippines are ready with the globalization, with 1,034 cities and municipalities, including Iloilo, Cauayan and Solana.
The DTI AI Center will be unched in January next year. ###
