CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City is planning to create a new generation of young, technology enterprising people that would help boost the business landscape of the city.
Mayor Paz Radaza said she intends to collaborate with homegrown talent Ric Amores who works for the Department of Science and Technology to help make this setup happen.
"I already have plans for my next wish: creating a new generation of techies and geeks from the young people of our city. Lapu-Lapu City plans to collaborate with the DOST on how to make this happen," she said.
Radaza also said they are eyeing to work with Dean Liza Corro of the University of the Philippines to help make the city an attractive site to incubate tech innovations.
"We are happy that the country's best geeks and their advocates from here and abroad are gathered here in Lapu-Lapu. Why? Because we believe that the Philippine startup community is the country's next game-changer," she said during the "Geeks on a Beach" convention at Hoopsdome, Barangay Gun-ob on Friday.
A conference of technology entrepreneurs in the Philippines, Geeks on a Beach started last year to gather all tech enthusiasts around the country and collaborate on startup ideas.
"I hope that, like many companies, Lapu-Lapu City would be historic place and this conference an important milestone for your companies and startups," said Radaza in her speech.
According to her, setting up technological livelihood programs in the city is important and necessary for the preparation of the Asean economic integration in 2015.
She pointed out that improving internet infrastructure would make the Philippines a center for startups.
"Better internet for Lapu-Lapu City and for the whole Philippines. This is now more important as ever, as we prepare for the Asean Economic Community. From the slowest in the region, we wish we would be one of the fastest. Improving Internet infrastructure would make the Philippines a center for startups," she explained.
She has likewise assured that the city is ready to partner with different startup groups for the promotion of startup environment in the city.
"More startup means more entrepreneurs and more entrepreneurs means more opportunities," she said.
Jonji Gonzales of Public Information Office said UP supports the DOST in terms of tech-livelihood, citing that the school provides an avenue for startup tech business to be their training ground in creating viable technology programs.
Meanwhile, the city mayor has also challenged wealthy Oponganons abroad to seriously consider investing in the city since, according to her, the town itself is making noise in improving its business environment. (FREEMAN)