SOCCSKSARGEN science week inspires students to pursue startups to benefit Filipinos

From the DOST public archive. Original source publication date: 2025-08-29. Captured 2026-09-04. Read the original DOST source.

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The 2025 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) in the SOCCSKSARGEN region highlighted startup opportunities, which sparked interest for students and scholars of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to pursue entrepreneurship.

In a forum titled, “Propel the Future: Startup Development and Technology Commercialization,” Engr. Edward Paul H. Apigo of the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) advised teachers to encourage their students to develop innovations that could benefit the Filipino people.

“You have to tell your students that when you develop something, you have to develop something that can benefit society. Sometimes, it also requires that proper mindset coming from teachers, telling their students that, hey, you should develop something that could benefit the Filipino people and something that you could pursue beyond graduation,” Apigo said.

As defined by the Republic Act no. 11337 or the Innovative Startup Act, startup is a registered Philippine entity or person with an innovative product, service, or business model. Under this law is the Philippine Startup Development Program (PSDP), which aims to support not only startups, but also startup enablers.

Startup enabler means any person or registered entity that provides goods, services, or capital identified to be critical in supporting the operations and growth of startups. This includes local government units (LGUs), accelerators, incubators, universities, even individuals, investors.

“DOST as a whole has a suite of programs that cater to different stages of development, whether if you're a student, a startup, or already a mature company. So, for students, I think one good news that I'd like to share is that in the next few months or in the coming years, we're actually building the iHubs [Innovation Hubs], which will cater to students so that your ideas can be supported as early as the idea stage,” Apigo added.

The DOST’s Innovation Hubs are dedicated physical spaces established across the country to serve as a platform for innovators, researchers, students, and startups to collaborate, develop, and transform ideas into impactful solutions and commercial ventures. 

Apigo said that one of the primary clients of the iHubs is the DOST scholars.

According to Apigo, students who have already developed their prototypes can go to the DOST’s Technology Business Incubators (TBIs), and then they can also apply for a startup grant fund program.

TBIs are located nationwide, established within universities and institutions. It supports early-stage startups with proof of concept or ideas that can be translated into market-ready products.

“I think one key observation that I saw with universities or schools that are able to produce start-ups is they embed entrepreneurship courses in their curriculum. And I would like to ask if entrepreneurship or techno-preneurship is part of Pisay’s [Philippine Science High School] curriculum. Otherwise, if not, then I guess it's time to include that. For students to become a start-up, they have to be entrepreneurial first. And for them to be entrepreneurial, they have to at least learn the basics of entrepreneurship,” Apigo added.

Meanwhile, based on the 6-Year Curriculum of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) implemented in School Year 2012-2013, it incorporates courses on patenting and intellectual property rights, and entrepreneurship.

Moreover, Rubiriza Resuello of the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources (DOST-PCAARD) said that it is also important to enhance the innovation environment that the students are exposed to.

Citing an example, she shared the capacity-building project on technology management and intellectual property management in partnership with PSHS, which has helped Pisay students to boost their confidence to venture into entrepreneurship.

Currently, the country has over 1,600 startups, more than 90 incubators and accelerators, and more than 50 investors and venture capitalists, which makes the Philippines, a preferred emerging startup destination, according to Apigo.

The Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) is one of the many initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions, Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.region12.dost.gov.ph. (By Claire Bernadette A. Mondares, DOST-STII and photos from DOST-12)