Gov. Baricuatro issues EO to back startup ventures

CEBU, Philippines — With a vision of turning Cebu into a hub for innovation, startup ventures in the province now get local government backing as Governor Pamela S. Baricuatro established the province’s Technology Startup Council under Executive Order No. 4, Series of 2026.

Signed on January 15, 2026, the order designates the council as the province’s main coordinating and advisory platform for startup-related policies, programs, and partnerships.

The EO underscores the role of technology-driven enterprises in economic transformation, employment generation, and inclusive growth.

The executive order cites several legal foundations, including Article XIV, Section 10 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, as well as the Philippine Innovation Act and the Innovative Startup Act, which mandate both national and local governments to support innovation-led development.

It also references national support mechanisms for startups, such as the Startup Venture Fund and the Startup Grant Fund, alongside the Local Government Code of 1991, which empowers local government units to pursue development initiatives.

The move aligns Cebu’s local innovation agenda with broader planning frameworks, particularly the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 and the Central Visayas Regional Development Plan 2023–2028, both of which highlight research, development, technology, and innovation as key drivers of long-term economic progress.

The order also highlights the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) iSTART Program, which assists local governments in embedding innovation strategies into their development plans.

"Under the order, the governor will serve as the council chairperson," a portion of the post from Cebu Province reads.

Meanwhile, the president of the Cebu Startup Ecosystem Alliance will serve as co-chairperson.

Council members will include representatives from the Provincial Planning and Development Office, the committee overseeing the implementation of the Innovation and Startup Act, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Commerce and Industry, the Development Acceleration Support for Innovation Growth program, and three representatives from the startup sector.

The council may also tap national government agencies, academic institutions, financial institutions, and business groups as advisers or observers.

Among those identified in the order are the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and DOST.

Among its core duties, the council is tasked with recommending policies that improve coordination within the startup ecosystem and strengthen linkages among government, academe, and private industry.

It is also mandated to promote greater public awareness of Cebu-based startups and to back initiatives such as startup weeks, incubation and acceleration programs, and mentorship efforts.

The body will help identify financing pathways for emerging enterprises and develop regulatory sandbox programs where new technologies can be tested under controlled conditions.

In addition, the council will maintain data on local startups and funding flows, organize activities positioning Cebu as an innovation hub, promote inclusivity within the startup community, and craft frameworks to ensure the long-term sustainability of its initiatives.

The Cebu Provincial Investment and Promotions Division will act as the council’s secretariat, working closely with the Provincial Planning and Development Office and relevant national innovation agencies.

Moreover, technical working groups (TWGs) may be formed to focus on areas such as governance and policy, startup development, research and development, digital transformation, investments, and inclusive innovation.