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DICT Secretary Henry Aguda speaks at the sidelines of the launch of Grab's Asenso Center in Marikina. Benise Balaoing, ABS-CBN News

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Benise Balaoing

MANILA -- Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda wants tech companies to list on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).Speaking at the sidelines of the launch of Grab&#x27;s Asenso Center in Marikina, Aguda said his advocacy for the next 2 years is encouraging tech companies to help boost the stock market.&quot;Tingnan mo sa mga ibang bansa, ano yung mga matataas ang capitalization tsaka laro sa stock market? Mga tech company. Bakit naman tayo hindi?&quot;Aguda also noted that there seems to be a shortage of tech companies serving government IT projects.&quot;Eh mas kampante ako kapag yung company na nagse-service sa IT requirements ng government, listed. Kasi pagka-listed ka sa stock market, maliban sa nagpa-file ka ng requirements mo sa (Securities and Exchange Commission), nagfa-file ka pa ng requirements mo publically sa PSE,&quot; he said.&quot;Malalaman mo kung sino yung shareholders nila, malalaman mo saan pumupunta yung income nila, malalaman mo kung ano yung gastusin nila, malalaman mo saan ang gagaling yung kinikita nila,&quot; he explained.&quot;Kaya I&#x27;m a big advocate talaga na pag mature yung capital market ng isang bansa,
mas mabilis ang development,&quot; he said.The official said he thinks all tech companies--regardless of size--can list in the PSE, as long as they are &quot;reputable, Filipino, maayos yung serbisyo.&quot;&quot;Sa ibang bansa naman, meron iba yung mga small board at saka tech board. Meron naman dyan, hindi naman ganun kalalaki,&quot; he said.Aguda noted that GCash operator Mynt is already ripe for an initial public offering (IPO). He stressed, however, that there are other companies that may benefit from going public.&quot;Iniisip ko yung mga medyo matagal nang nandyan,
pero hindi makapag-raise ng capital ba to expand their business. Marami tayong mga...SI or systems integrator. Hindi ko na pangangalanan--baka sabihin nila, bias ako--na maayos naman.&quot;&quot;Ang suggestion ko, mag-try kayong mag-IPO naman. Aside from the fact that it will help you raise funding, it will also give the public an opportunity to invest in digital plays. Plus, hindi ko talaga ma-over-emphasize: &#x27;Pag publicly listed ka, mas maganda ang governance,&quot; he said.The PSE in March cut the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/3/19/pse-cuts-ipo-minimum-public-float-1711" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">minimum public float</a> requirement for IPOs from 20 percent to 15 percent, in the hopes that more companies will go public.Officials considered 2024 a tepid listing year, with only 3 new companies--OceanaGold Philippines, NexGen Energy, and Citicore Renewable Energy-- being listed on the PSE.The SEC in <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/6/3/maynilad-ipo-gets-sec-green-light-1343" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">June</a> approved the IPO of water distributor Maynilad, and in July that of resort developer <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/7/18/sec-clears-hann-holdings-initial-public-offering-1629" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hann Holdings</a> Inc. Maynilad already filed its prospectus <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/10/30/grab-wants-new-carpool-service-fully-running-by-december-1538" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">earlier this month</a>. Should its IPO push through, it will only be the second for the year, after Cebu-based Top Line Business Development Corporation made its state bourse debut in April.<div>KONEKTADONG PINOY LAW</div>Meanwhile, the implementing rules and regulations of the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/8/24/-konektadong-pinoy-bill-for-broader-competitive-internet-access-lapses-into-law-1527" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Konektadong Pinoy Law</a> will be published on November 3, Aguda said.The proposal lapsed into law in August, after no action was taken on it 30 days after being submitted to the Palace.The bill--which seeks to broaden internet access, streamline licensing processes, and reduce connectivity costs--allows new and smaller players to enter the data transmission sector without seeking a legislative franchise and a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.The DICT has said the law will address roadblocks brought by laws &quot;that [have] stifled competition and innovation for years.&quot;

Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda wants tech companies to list on the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda wants tech companies to list on the Philippine Stock Exchange.

DICT chief Aguda wants tech companies to list on Philippine Stock Exchange

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DICT chief Aguda wants tech companies to list on Philippine Stock Exchange

Benise Balaoing

Published Oct 30, 2025 05:37 PM PHT

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tech companies

Philippine Stock Exchange

initial public offering

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Henry Aguda

DICT

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