Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) secretary Henry Aguda has urged local technology companies to consider listing on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), saying their participation could help revitalize the local bourse and drive inclusive digital growth.
Speaking at the launch of the Grab Asenso Center in Marikina City, Aguda said going public would enable tech firms to tap essential investments for expansion while allowing ordinary Filipinos to share in their success.
“Investments within the country will increase as people gain confidence in the transparency of their investment opportunities, much like what we observe in other nations,” Aguda said, stressing that transparency requirements from regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) strengthen public trust.
Aguda’s remarks come as the PSE continues to underperform compared with regional counterparts, weighed down by low trading volumes and a scarcity of new listings.
Analysts have long cited the need for fresh, high-growth companies — particularly in the technology and innovation sectors — to help restore market confidence and attract retail investors.
The DICT chief emphasized that encouraging digital firms to list locally would not only help strengthen the capital market but also align with the government’s goal of creating eight billion digital and digitally enabled jobs nationwide.
At the event, Aguda reaffirmed the DICT’s support for platforms that promote both full-time and gig-based employment. He cited the agency’s Private Express and Messengerial Delivery Service (PEMEDES) portal, which estimates that around two million delivery riders operate nationwide, with about 80 percent still unregistered or “colorum.” The PEMEDES initiative aims to formalize these workers and extend government benefits to them.
The newly opened Grab Asenso Center complements this effort by offering easy access to social protection programs such as the SSS, Pag-IBIG Fund, and PhilHealth.
High-performing partners receive additional benefits, including Pag-IBIG contribution subsidies and free life insurance coverage from Grab and Move It.
Grab Philippines said the Asenso Center forms part of its target to generate 500,000 livelihood opportunities in collaboration with the government, having already achieved 73 percent of its five-year goal.
The company also reported a 30-percent year-on-year increase in community merchants joining the platform as more small businesses formalize their online operations.
Leveraging artificial intelligence, the Asenso Center provides partners with tools such as the “Merchant AI Assistant” to automate marketing and promotions, and the “AI Driver Companion” for route optimization and improved earnings.
