The Department of Science and Technology Region XI welcomed Friday, April 16, the City Council of Davao’s approval of an ordinance establishing the Davao City Inventions and Innovations Center (DCIIC).
DOST-XI Regional Director Dr. Anthony C. Sales said the passage of the landmark ordinance would help foster and sustain a supportive and sustainable ecosystem for the local inventors and innovators.
“The landmark ordinance sets foot the much-needed legislative support from the local government unit. The establishment of the DCIIC will be pivotal in complementing DOST-XI’s existing and future programs, projects and activities to develop and promote innovations and inventions in Davao City,” he said in a statement.
The ordinance, authored by Councilor Pilar Braga, was approved during the 14th regular session of the 19th City Council of Davao on April 13.
Sales said the establishment of the DCIIC "will also be a strategic approach for DOST-XI and all other DOST-supported innovation facilities to amplify our services tailored to support and promote the various local inventions and innovations.”
Among the DOST-supported innovation facilities are the Food Processing Innovation Center at the Philippine Women’s College, the Philippine Genome Center Mindanao Facility in UP Mindanao, the Sentro Mindanao, and the Technology Business Incubators at the University of Mindanao, University of Southeastern Philippines, and UP Mindanao.
“Aside from the existing DOST programs and services for inventors and innovators, the DCIIC will also expand opportunities by linking interested parties with financing institutions, investors and the market. Consolidating government support from both the national and local levels will greatly boost our innovation ecosystem,” Sales said.
The DOST-XI said the DCIIC is in line with Republic Act No. 11293 or Philippine Innovation Act and the Philippine Startup Law signed by President Duterte last year.
It noted that the city council’s ordinance also supports the creation of the Davao City Invention and Innovation Board (DCIIB) which will be chaired by the City Mayor.
"The DCIIB will be tasked to develop Davao City’s innovation goals, priorities and long-term strategies,” it said.
The members of the Board include DOST XI, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-XI, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)-XI, PIA-XI, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII), ICT Davao Inc., Davao City’s Inventors and Innovators Group, the Technology Business Incubators’ Group, Bankers Association of the Philippines, and the academe.
“The DCIIC is envisioned to serve as startup enabler where package of assistance such as prototype building, feasibility study and financial analysis, drafting of project proposals for funding, and intellectual property protection through its in-house experts or tapping into its network of experts of existing research facilities, technology business incubators and innovation centers will be made available for the local innovators, inventors, startups and technopreneurs,” Braga said.