Vol. XXI, No. 237 [ BusinessWorld Online ]
Thursday, July 3, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
TACLOBAN — The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and the provincial government of Leyte are trying to attract fledgling information and communication technology (ICT) ventures to the business incubator facility at the Leyte ICT Park.
Edgardo Esperancilla, DoST regional director for Eastern Visayas, said the facility can still accommodate two locators. There are presently two locators at the facility namely, eDWG Design Solutions and POS Technology Solutions.
Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla said the provincial government shouldered the rent of the facility’s locators in the first six months. The facility aims to help financially-disadvantaged entrepreneurs start, operate, or expand their IT-based businesses and help create a strong ICT industry in Region 8 in support of the province’s goal to become an ICT hub in the country.
"For non-TBI [technology business incubator] locators, the provincial government is charging P150 per square meter for monthly rental. In the case of budding ICT entrepreneurs, they don’t have to pay for rental here in ICT Park for the first six months," Mr. Petilla said.
Big help
eDWG (electronic drawing) assistant manager Rico Yu said the assistance from the DoST and provincial government has helped the company build its business.
"Starting your business at the technology business incubator lends credibility to your business, considering that this is inside an ICT park," he said.
eDWG offers structural and civil work engineering, project management, international engineering support, geographical engineering system and steel detailing services.
"Architectural works take a lot of time and involves many people, but we can do it in a matter hours with the use of technology," Mr. Yu said.
Jayson Pascual, POS Technology Solutions manager, said they’ve been offering customized system development, business system development, point of sale system, inventory and accounting system, e-Government system development, human resource development system, i-Police system, network security solutions and Web site design and development.
"We can develop advanced systems that can handle mass amounts of data and transactions. It doesn’t matter how small or big your company is. We have solutions for any budget," Mr. Pascual said.
Mr. Esperancilla said not many ICT businesses are aware about the technology business incubator facility, although it’s been a year since this was launched.
"Many people have no idea that we have young entrepreneurs who have been providing unique ICT services from the TBI," Mr. Esperancilla said in an interview.
He said the DoST and the provincial government will launch a Web site for TBI locators within the month.
"Our priority is to promote the products and services of TBI locators to new markets," Mr. Esperancilla said.
DoST spent P1.8 million to procure the office and other equipment at the facility.
Aside from the technology business incubator facility, the 6.8-hectare Leyte ICT Park hosts educational institutions as well. — Sarwell Q. Meniano
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