The two solons led a congressional delegation last week on a successful visit to Silicon Valley in northern California, USA, and met with top officials of Cisco Systems, Synopsys, Google, Genentech and Electronic Arts.  They also visited the campuses of Apple and the Plug and Play Tech Center, an incubator of start-up technology companies.

The delegation also held a roundtable discussion with Filipino tech entrepreneur, Dr. Diosdado Banatao, principal of Tallwood Venture Capital, a leading venture capital company in the Silicon Valley. 

Dr. Banatao stressed the importance of education, research and development, and the risk taking of venture capitalists who are the pillars of Silicon Valley’s success and the need to replicate these in the Philippines. “Continue to retool the Philippines’ education system and focus on math and science, as well as the relevant new technologies in order to be competitive,” Banatao urged the group.

The group is now keen on identifying promising Filipino IT companies and exposing them to the Silicon Valley ecosystem. They will prioritize next wave cities in transforming these into the Philippine Silicon Corridor.

“The success of Filipino professionals in Silicon Valley, and their desire to help grow the Philippine IT industry would create global opportunities for the sector,” Tiñga said.

The Philippine delegation included members of the ICT Committee, namely Reps. Rene L. Relampagos (1st District, Bohol), Ma. Rachel J. Arenas (3rd District, Pangasinan), Ben P. Evardone (Eastern Samar), Joel Roy Duavit (1st District, Rizal), Vincent P. Crisologo (1st District, Quezon City), Tomas V. Apacible (1st District, Batangas), Jerry P. Treñas (Iloilo City), Alfredo B. Benitez (3rd District, Negros Occidental), Antonio A. del Rosario (1st District, Capiz) and Paolo S. Javier (Antique).

They also conducted a planning session with the Science and Technology Advisory Council, an organization of Philippine technology professionals to formulate a comprehensive plan to bring the Silicon Valley ecosystem into the high tech sector of the Philippines. 

Rep. Abaya emphasized that “the Aquino administration sees information technology as a key catalyst in the development of the country, and is throwing its full support in expanding this industry.”

Tiñga extended the group’s gratitude to Deputy Consul General Alfonso Ver of the San Francisco Consulate and Commissioner Josephine Romero, trade representative of the Department of Trade and Industry who were instrumental in the success of the trip.