Office of the Vice President
for Research, Development, & Extension

September 24, 2026

SILLAG Region 1 benchmarks Western Visayas’ innovation and startup ecosystem

The SILLAG Region 1 Startup Consortium benchmarked Western Visayas’ innovation and startup ecosystem on September 22–23, 2026, gaining insights on technology transfer, innovation management, and startup support mechanisms relevant to strengthening Region 1's ecosystem. The activity began at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Western Visayas, where Regional Director Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga welcomed the delegation and facilitated discussions on the region’s innovative startup ecosystem and best practices. Engr. Gelonga emphasized the need to strengthen the startup ecosystem as a pathway for translating R&D investments into technologies that benefit society and the economy, create jobs, and support businesses and industries. DOST Western Visayas shared its technology transfer and commercialization practices, including the initiatives of its Innovation Management Unit in supporting researchers and startups, as well as regional innovation hubs and initiatives. On the second day, the delegation visited the UMWAD Western Visayas Consortium at Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISATU), where it was welcomed by Dr. Raul F. Muyong, Assistant to the University President for Governance, Advocacy, and Quality Assurance. Dr. Carmelo V. Ambut, ISATU Vice President for Research and Extension and UMWAD Western Visayas Executive Director, led the presentation on UMWAD’s programs, initiatives, and best practices. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and bringing ecosystem stakeholders together to strengthen the region’s innovation and startup ecosystem. The delegation also benchmarked the Central Philippine University Pugad Technology Business Incubator (CPUGAD TBI). Project Leader Gelvie C. Lagos and General Manager Mark Gil D. Peraman welcomed the delegation and shared the TBI’s programs and best practices in startup support. The benchmarking activity was led by Engr. Arnold C. Santos, SILLAG Region 1 Project Leader, who expressed appreciation to DOST Western Visayas and UMWAD for welcoming the delegation and sharing Western Visayas’ best practices in startup development to help strengthen the Region 1 startup ecosystem. Also part of the delegation were Mr. Racky D. Doctor, Governing Council Member; Prof. Armie C. Sabugo, Co-Implementer from Mariano Marcos State University; and Engr. Roy R. Flores, PSU Aligwas TBI Core Member from Pangasinan State University, along with project assistants from the consortium and participating TBIs. The engagements provided SILLAG Region 1 with practical approaches to strengthen linkages among startup ecosystem enablers, R&D institutions, technology transfer offices, innovation hubs, TBIs, startups, and the private sector, supporting its continuing efforts to strengthen the Ilocos Region’s startup ecosystem through knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships. 𝘉𝘺 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘯 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯 𝘗. 𝘎𝘶𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢 #StartupsPH #Innovation #StartupEcosystem #SILLAGRegion1 #DOSTOneSciglat #OneDOST4U #AghamNaRamdam #SolutionsAndOpportunitiesForAll SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/sillagregion1/posts/pfbid02NaBsHa9GMcm9rpoSSfRzR9AdbvrsuhrgaFfFYYB5mRvFk5tSvStoCZjRVtp4FXwel