A LAWMAKER pushed to create an ordinance institutionalizing the Business Startup and Entrepreneurship Assistance Program of Davao City to equip startups venturing into business.
Councilor Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus, in his privilege speech, said the program aims to help new talents flourish and to position Davao City to be a hub of innovation.
“This would encourage the graduates who would like to venture into entrepreneurship, not only to make it easy for them, even to spoonfeed them so that they will be mentored properly and they will have access to resources,” Mahipus said.
The proposed ordinance mandates the establishment of the Davao City Entrepreneurship Assistance Center, seen as a one-stop shop for startups.
The Center, he said, will serve as a facilitator for business registration, permits, and licensing and a hub for mentoring, training, and market linkage programs.
It will provide the start-ups access to credit facilities, grants, and government incentives, and will serve as a support system that integrates academic institutions, private sector partners, and local government resources.
Before the creation of the ordinance, Mahipus urged the need to review and revisit any existing city-approved programs related to startups, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
“By doing so, we can harmonize and strengthen what has already been initiated, ensuring that our efforts are aligned and truly responsive to the evolving needs of our people,” he said.
He cited the already existing Magnegosyo ta Day Ordinance, which was proposed by Councilor Pamela Librado and approved in the 19th City Council, and the Davao City Innovations and Inventions Council.
During the deliberation, Councilor Nonong Cabling also suggested looking into the existing initiatives of the national government to synergize with the local measure.
Councilor Petite Principe, the current committee chair on science, technology and education, urged the committee to be involved in the legislation process, recognizing the existing Davao City Innovations and Inventions Council.
“It is very timely because every September, we celebrate the Start-up Month. It is timely that the August Body will discuss such measures in order to institutionalize innovations and inventions in the city,” Principe said.
Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang lauded the motion and sees it being a landmark ordinance and urged the fast-tracking of the creation so as to be included in the Annual budget next year.
“This young generation can organize them into a young entrepreneurial group, then we can proceed into mobilizing government resources, and especially the start-up capital, other than the livelihood program we are doing,” he said.
The subject matter was referred jointly to the oversight committee, the committee on information and communication technology, committee on trade, commerce and industry, the committee on finance, ways and means, committee on science, technology and education, and the committee on labor.
