DOST Caraga crafts 5-year roadmap for jobs, investments, innovation
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — More employment opportunities, increased investments, stronger support for local innovators, and a more competitive regional economy are among the expected benefits of the five-year Regional Startup Ecosystem Roadmap (2027–2032) being developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga.
The initiative supports the national government’s push for innovation-driven growth under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who has consistently emphasized the importance of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation in creating quality jobs, strengthening industries, and enhancing the country’s global competitiveness.
The roadmap is expected to strengthen the region’s startup ecosystem by helping entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into viable businesses, encouraging technology-based enterprises, and creating an environment that attracts investors and generates quality jobs for Caraganons.
DOST Caraga Regional Director Noel B. Ajoc said the roadmap is envisioned to create a more enabling environment where innovative ideas can flourish into sustainable enterprises that contribute to regional development.
“Innovation is a key driver of economic growth. Through this roadmap, we aim to empower startups, strengthen partnerships among ecosystem players, attract investments, and create more opportunities for Caraganons, particularly our young innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs,” Ajoc said.
To support this goal, DOST Caraga convened government agencies, local government units, academic institutions, startup founders, incubators, investors, and innovation advocates for the Regional Startup Ecosystem Mapping, Maturity Assessment, Diagnostics, and Roadmapping Workshop on June 15-16 at the Watergate Hotel Pavilion in Butuan City.
The two-day activity aims to assess the current state of Caraga’s startup ecosystem and formulate a strategic roadmap that will guide innovation, entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, and startup development across the region over the next five years.
According to Emman Lliam L. Prisco, head of the Innovation Unit of DOST Caraga, the roadmap will provide a framework for building stronger innovation support systems and expanding opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.
“The roadmap will provide a clear direction for strengthening Caraga’s startup ecosystem, fostering innovation-driven enterprises, and creating an environment where startups can thrive and contribute to regional economic growth,” Prisco said.
Facilitated by Richard R. Day of Upgrade Innolab, Inc., the workshop gathers key stakeholders to identify strengths, gaps, opportunities, and strategic interventions needed to accelerate innovation and technopreneurship in the region. It also seeks to enhance Caraga’s visibility in the global innovation landscape through StartupBlink and other innovation platforms.
The activity includes Center of Density Mapping, Startup Ecosystem Mapping, Startup Community Maturity Model Assessment, and discussions on ecosystem challenges and opportunities. These are expected to generate evidence-based recommendations for startup programs, policy reforms, capacity-building initiatives, and innovation investments.
Prisco emphasized that a stronger startup ecosystem can help diversify the region’s economy by supporting homegrown enterprises, encouraging innovation among young professionals, and creating pathways for technology commercialization.
“By bringing together key ecosystem players, we are laying the groundwork for a more competitive, inclusive, and innovation-driven Caraga. The five-year Regional Startup Ecosystem Roadmap will help align programs, investments, and policies that support startups and technopreneurs across the region,” Prisco said.
The initiative also aligns with Republic Act No. 11337 or the Innovative Startup Act, which seeks to promote, develop, and nurture innovative and entrepreneurial activities in the country by providing incentives, support programs, and funding opportunities for startups and startup enablers.
The roadmap will be endorsed to the Regional Development Council through the Regional Research, Development, and Innovation Committee and is expected to serve as a strategic guide for innovation investments, startup support programs, and collaborative initiatives aimed at accelerating the region’s transition toward a knowledge-based economy.
Through the initiative, DOST Caraga continues to strengthen the Caraga Regional Innovation and Startup Ecosystem (Caraga RISE), positioning the region as an emerging hub for startups, technology-driven enterprises, and sustainable economic growth.
President Marcos has underscored that innovation and digitalization are key drivers of economic transformation, and initiatives such as startup ecosystem development help translate this vision into opportunities for Filipinos in the regions. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)
