To proideFilipino technopreneurs in Palawan a hub to incubate and accelerate Information and Communications Technology (ICT)–based enterprises, the Department of Science and Technology-MIMAROPA (DOST-MIMAROPA), Palawan State University (PSU), Palaweño ICT Association (PICTA), and Make a Difference (MAD) Industries of Malaysia, came together to open the first ever international ICT business incubator in MIMAROPA last December at the Palawan State University-Main Campus in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

The Palawan International Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Business Incubator cum Start-up Hub, also known as Palawan ITBI,catersto the growing number of technology-based start-ups. The TBI provides start-ups a platform where they can develop their tech-relevant ideas into products that will be able to compete in the global market.

According to Dr. Josefina Abilay, DOST-MIMAROPA regional director, the newly launched start-up hub is where “ideas can be transformed into products and start-ups can be guided to become fully-fledged entrepreneurs.”

“It is timely that this initiative is finally offering incubation services to young professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs so that their ideas or start-up products will be accelerated through the Palawan TBI,” she added.

The establishment of the TBI is one step closer towards the goal of DOST-MIMAROPA, PSU, and PICTA of nurturing technopreneurship, promoting public-private partnership in the regional development of MIMAROPA, creating more jobs, and introducing the local technology ventures in the BIMP-EAGA and ASEAN Economic Community. Palawan ITBI will be operated under the MAD Incubator management framework and a partnership between a successful MAD Incubator owned by Mr. Andrew Wong.

The launch was also attended by outgoing PSU President Jeter Sespeñe, Elliot Hsu of Taiwan-based Hand Link Corporation, media representatives from ABS-CBN, City Councilor ICT Committee Chairman EleutheriusEdualino, as well as students and faculty of PSU.  (By Ranjit G. Montablan and Athena Colline L. Verdey, S&T Media Serrvice)


The recently-launched Palawan International Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Business Incubator cum Start-up Hub is a joint project of several institutions represented in this photo by DOST-MIMAROPA Regional Director Dr. Ma. Josefina P. Abilay (center) poses for a group picture with (to her left) Andrew Wong of MAD Incubator, Palawan State University President Dr. Jeter Sespeñe, Handlink’s Elliot Hsu, PSU’s Dr. Hanlie Taha, Francis Alderado, Darwin Tan of MAD,PSTC-Palawan PSTD Pacifico T. Sariego III, and Joy Delos Trinos. To Dr. Abilay’s right is PSU’s Dr. Michael Pido, PICTA Chairman Eleutherius Edualino, and other guests.


DOST-MIMAROPA Regional Director Josefina Abilay delivers her speech at the launching of the Palawan International ICT Business Incubator cum Start-up Hub


Dr. Pido, Dr. Abilay, and PSTD Sariego tour the perimeter of the Palawan International ICT Business Incubator