DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña
MANILA – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is encouraging businessmen to support the government's "Balik Probinsya" program by putting up technology-related businesses in the province.
In a phone interview over the weekend, DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said the agency plans to launch soon the Expanded Opportunities for Development through the Use of Science and Technology (EXODUS) program.
Through the program, dela Peña said the agency would provide technical assistance to the possible investor.
"This (EXODUS) would soon be implemented in all the DOST regional offices. There is no limit as to how many could approach us to get the technical assistance," he said.
He noted though that the program would not involve financial assistance from the agency.
"We would only be spending on the manpower, for those who would assist in the training, among others," he said.
The DOST has identified several growth areas, where putting up businesses would help in the "Balik Probinsya" program. These areas include Cebu and Batangas, he said.
"What's important is that this would generate employment for the 'Balik Probinsya' (beneficiaries)," he said.
"For example, there is a successful businessman here in Manila who hails from a province, we would encourage him to put up a business there, as this would generate employment for the others. He/she could think of other business, but it has to be technology-related," he said. (PNA)
