Limited access to capital remains the biggest obstacle to startup development in Western Visayas, with businesses struggling to move beyond the idea stage, according to a regional ecosystem mapping report released by the Unified Movement in Western Visayas to Accelerate Startup and Spinoff Development (UMWAD).
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) called for sustained research, technology adoption, and collaboration as the 2026 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) in Western Visayas concluded in Aklan.
Western Visayas has adopted a regional artificial intelligence (AI) governance framework aimed at guiding the technology’s use in public services while positioning the region as a hub for innovation, investment, and talent development.
