By PNA Newsroom
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Technological innovation and high-speed internet connectivity are crucial components of the Mindanao railway system, which will be developed starting early next year.
This was according to Ernesto Tomas Jr., head of the Investments Promotion Division (IPD) of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), who was guest speaker at the first Innovation Forum here Thursday.
Organized by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), the forum tackled the opportunities and challenges in building an innovation and startup ecosystem in Mindanao.
Tomas said innovation and connectivity are needed so that the island’s soon-to-be-built railway system meets modern standards similar to developed countries.
Building an innovation and startup ecosystem in Mindanao, he said, would lead to the “creation and diffusion of technologies” necessary to the island’s economic growth.
Tomas said that while the Mindanao Railway Project is tethered to a fixed budget, it will always welcome innovative ideas.
“Access and connectivity (are needed) so that all areas in Mindanao can access the railway system,” he said.
For instance, the MinDA official said, innovation and connectivity can address automation in the railway system, as well as in other government processes, where startups can come into the picture by building mobile applications.
Amounting to PHP85 billion, the first phase of the Mindanao railway project is targeted to commence in January 2019, covering the Digos-Davao-Tagum line.
The USTP organized the innovation forum to forge greater academe-government-industry-community collaboration, and to establish a regional innovation and startup ecosystem to strengthen Mindanao’s economy. (Justine Gaabucayan, USTP-CDO Intern)
