An Act Providing Benefits and Programs to Strengthen, Promote and Develop the Philippine Startup Ecosystem

Seventeenth Congress
Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-third day of July, two thousand eighteen.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 11337

An Act Providing Benefits and Programs to Strengthen, Promote and Develop the Philippine Startup Ecosystem

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress assembled:

CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Innovative Startup Act".

Section 2. Declaration of Policy.— It is hereby declared the policy of the State to foster inclusive growth through an innovative economy by streamlining government and nongovernment initiatives, in both local and international spheres, to create new jobs and opportunities, improve production, and advance innovation and trade in the country.

To this end, the State shall provide incentives and remove constraints aimed at encouraging the establishment and operation of innovative new businesses, businesses crucial to their growth and expansion, and to strengthen, promote, and develop an ecosystem of businesses and government and nongovernment institutions that foster an innovative entrepreneurial culture in the Philippines.

Section 3. Definition of Terms.— As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

Section 4. Philippine Startup Development Program.— There is hereby created a Philippine Startup Development Program hereinafter referred to as the "Program".

The Program shall be composed of programs, benefits, and incentives for startups and startup enablers promulgated through the respective mandates of national government agencies, and through additional mandates provided by the provisions of this Act. The Program shall also include programs, benefits, and incentives for startup and startup enablers extended by NGOs in partnership with any national government agency.

The DOST, DICT, and DTI shall be the lead agencies that shall assess, monitor, develop and expand the Program consistent with, the objectives of this Act. To this end, the DOST, DICT, and DTI, in consultation with government and NGOs, shall set key metrics to track the impact and development of the Program.

The DTI shall promulgate the rules for the efficient registration and assessment of startup enablers to be registered under the Program.

Section 5. Program Objectives. -The Program shall aim to achieve the following:

Section 6. General Roles arid Responsibilities of the Host Agencies. -The DOST, DTI, DICT and other host agencies shall have the following general roles and responsibilities in the implementation of this Act:

CHAPTER 2
PROGRAM BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES

Section 7. General Registration and Operational Benefits and Incentives. -Host agencies shall be authorized to provide the following benefits and incentives to startups and/or startup enablers who have passed their selection and application process:

Provided, That the full or partial subsidies provided by the host agency may be incorporated in the approved GIA of the startup or startup enabler, or may be issued through vouchers issued by the host, agency.

The DTI shall be the agency tasked to initiate and coordinate with national and local government agencies involved with the registration, licensing, certification, including those who levy fees and charges for services subsidized by host agencies, and such other regulatory process to be undertaken by startups and startup enablers endorsed by host agencies.

Section 8. General Benefits for Participation in Local and International Startup Events. -Host agencies shall be authorized to provide the following benefits and incentives in order to support members of startups and/or startup enablers who have passed their respective selection and application process for the purpose of participating in local or international startup events or competitions:

Section 9. Philippine Startup Ecozones. -The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), in consultation and coordination with the DTI, DOST, and DICT, shall pursue and promote the creation of Philippine Startup Ecozones, or Special Economic Zones to spur the growth and development of startups and startup enablers through either private initiative, local government initiative with the assistance of the national government, and/or national government initiative consistent with the provisions of Republic Act No 7916, as amended by Republic Act No. 8748, otherwise known as "The Special Economic Zones Act of 1995", and its implementing rules and regulations. Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) are hereby authorized to extend applicable benefits to startups and/or startup enablers subject to the respective rules and regulations promulgated by the IPA for the effective implementation of this provision.

The DTI, DICT, DOST, and other host agencies, through their respective regional and provincial offices, shall promote and facilitate the registration of qualified startups and startup enablers in appropriate Special Economic Zones in the Philippines.

The PEZA and IPAs extending benefits to startups and/or startup enablers shall assist the DTI, DICT, and DOST in training their respective personnel assigned to assist startups and startup enablers in meeting standards and regulations for registration and compliance requirements in Special Economic Zones.

Section 10. Startup Investment Development Plan. -The DTI, in coordination with the DICT, DOST, and Board of Investments (BOI) shall spearhead initiatives to develop the short, medium, and long-term strategies in order to spur investment in, and promote the growth and development of, startups and startup enablers in the Philippines.

The DTI, in coordination with the BOI, shall promote and facilitate the provision of applicable benefits to current and prospective investors of startups and startup enablers.

The BOI shall assist the DTI. DICT, DOST, and other host agencies in training their personnel tasked with assisting current and prospective startups and startup enablers to access and maximize benefits and incentives which may be extended consistent with the powers and mandate of the BOI.

Section 11. Startup Grant Fund. -There is hereby created a Startup Grant Fund (SGF) under each of the following agencies:

Each agency shall use its respective SGF to provide initial and supplemental GIA for startups and startup enablers that have passed its selection and application process.

Each agency shall propose and include in its respective budget under the annual General Appropriations Act the initial and succeeding appropriations for the creation and replenishment of its SGF.

Section 12. Startup Venture Fund.— There is hereby created a Startup Venture Fund (SVF) under the DTI, to be administered in coordination with the National Development Company (NDC). The SVF shall be used to match investments by selected investors in startups based in the Philippines.

The NDC and DTI shall jointly develop and issue the appropriate rules and regulations for the selection of investors and the effective management and utilization of the SVF.

The initial and succeeding appropriations for the SVF shall be proposed by the DTI and included in the budget of the NDC under the annual General Appropriations Act.

CHAPTER 3
STARTUP VISAS

Section 13. Startup Visas.— The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall create the following startup visas:

The application for the aforementioned startup visas shall require an endorsement from a host agency, on top of visa application requirements to be stipulated by the DFA. These startup visas shall have an initial five (5)-year validity and may be renewed or extended with a three (3)-year validity.

Multiple-entry interim startup visas valid for six (6) months to one (1) year shall be issued for free to prospective startup owners, investors, or enablers upon the endorsement of the appropriate host agency.

Bearers of the visa shall be exempt from securing an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The DFA, Bureau of Immigration (BI), and DOLE shall promulgate the rules for the implementation of this exemption.

The DFA and BI shall develop and maintain a database for all the bearers of the visa and their immigration records, and ensure public access to such information subject to existing rules and regulations, including on Freedom of Information and Data Privacy.

The DFA shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the issuance of the startup visas by Philippine Consular Officers consistent with the provisions of this Act. The DFA shall allow foreign nationals to lodge their application and claim their visa at Philippine Embassies or Consulates.

The BI shall promulgate the immigration and admission rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this Act.

Section 14. APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC). -Bona fide Filipino executives of qualified startups shall be eligible to apply for an ABTC, in accordance with rules and regulations to be promulgated by the DFA.

CHAPTER 4
FINAL PROVISIONS

Section 15. Startup Philippines Website.— The DICT, in consultation with the DTI and DOST, shall develop and maintain a website that shall serve as the primary source of information on statistics, events, programs, and benefits for startups and startup enablers and related enterprises in the Philippines not limited to those defined under this Act. This shall involve the integration of any existing websites and content on programs for startups and startup enablers implemented by the government.

This website shall at least have the following features:

The DICT shall assist and coordinate with the relevant national government agencies, and local government units, in the development of a platform or feature to facilitate online applications for pertinent government issued documents such as, but not limited to permits, authorities, approvals, and certificates, which are necessary for the registration and operation of the startup and/or startup enabler.

Section 16. Education Programs.— The Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority are hereby directed to develop and integrate in their respective curricula entrepreneurial programs that shall foster an environment conducive to innovation, and extend incentives to academic institutions that provide funds and/or grants for the research of their students and faculty.

Section 17. Creation of Positions.— The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall undertake the assessment and creation of positions, whether temporary or permanent, in coordination with host agencies in order to provide the administrative and technical capacity required in each host agency to undertake the implementation of the programs and benefits under this Act.

Section 18. Appropriations.— The amount necessary to carry out the initial implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the current budget of the DOST, DICT, and DTI. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the succeeding General Appropriations Act.

Section 19. Implementing Rules and Regulations.— The DOST, DICT, and DTI, in coordination with the pertinent government agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act.

Section 20. Separability Clause.— If any section or part of this Act is held unconstitutional, no other section or provision shall be affected.

Section 21. Repealing Clause. -All provisions of existing laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Section 22. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its complete publication in the Official Gazette and in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

(Sgd) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
Speaker of the House of Representatives

(Sgd) VICENTE C. SOTTO III
President of the Senate

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1532 and House Bill No. 8862 was passed by the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives on February 6, 2019 and February 7, 2019, respectively.

(Sgd) DANTE ROBERTO P. MALING
Acting Secretary General
House of Representatives

(Sgd.) MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICA
Secretary of the Senate

(Sgd) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
President of the Philippines

Approved: April 26, 2019.