The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) signed Monday, March 22,  a joint administrative order  (JAO), calling for the creation of a nine-man Steering Committee (SC) that would keep an eye on the full-blown implementation of the country’s Startup Development Program.

Secretaries Fortunato T. de la Peña of DOST, Gregorio B. Honasan II of DICT, and Ramon M. Lopez of DTI signed JAO No. 001 to ensure the growth of the innovative startup companies and business enterprises in the country.

De la Peña said with the signing of JAO, they were moving forward their commitment to  implement Republic Act No. 11337 or the Innovative Startup Act. 

"You might be wondering what transpired since the effectivity of the IRR in 2020.  Just like most of our programs and activities in 2020, some of the plans and activities related to the Innovative Startup Act were hampered because of the imposed limitations.  With the onset of the pandemic, efforts shifted and focused on finding immediate solutions to the current situation,” he said.  

"But despite the challenges and limitations, the three Departments carried on, remaining true to their tasks” he added.

He cited that the three agencies have  existing programs  and support mechanisms for startups.

Section 1, Rule 2, Chapter 1 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 11337 provides that the DOST, DTI and DICT shall constitute the Steering Committee for the implementation of the IRR and the management of the Philippine Startup Development Program. 

Under the JAO, the SC is tasked to "provide  strategic guidance and oversight in the formulation, implementation, and development of the Program.”

Nine representatives from the DTI, DOST and DICT shall sit at the SC, as designated by their respective Secretaries. 

The committee is expected to develop, implement, and update the country’s Startup development program; promulgate the appropriate policies, rules and guidelines for the coordinated implementation of the program; ensure that startup programs, benefits and incentives of host agencies are harmonised and properly aligned; and promote access to the benefits , incentives and opportunities for startups and startup enables under the program, among others. 

The JAO provides that the SC shall conduct regular and special meetings to ensure and keep track  of the fulfilment of its responsibilities in implementing the program. 

The Secretaries of the DOST, DTI and DICT are authorized to review the effectiveness of the SC and make any needed changes to the composition and functions as they may see fit.  

They may initiate any amendment to the JAO, which shall become valid and binding upon their consensus. Such amendment shall be made in writing and signed by the Secretaries, the JAO said.