14

Vigorously
Advancing
Science,
Technology, and
Innovation
 CHAPTER 14

Vigorously Advancing Science,

Technology, and Innovation
The Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) sector has already been faced with issues
that have prevented it from reaching its full potential even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nonetheless, several reforms to drive the STI sector towards greater advancement were
instituted, as a result of the increased collaboration of STI stakeholders. Among these are the
Philippine Innovation Act, Philippine Startup Act, Philippine Space Act, and the Balik Scientist
Act.

With the emergence of COVID-19, there is a need to advance STI that contributes to the
attainment of a healthy and resilient Philippines. This will include the rollout of technologies
that will help address the pandemic. Moreover, the procurement process of STI programs,
projects, and activities (PPAs) will be reviewed and refined for timely implementation and
greater impact. Various government support services for startups and micro, small, and
medium enterprises (MSMEs) will also be ramped up to help them become more innovative
and resilient in times of crisis. The establishment of the National Innovation Council (NIC),
which is seen to guide the country towards long-term STI development, will also be fast-
tracked.

Assessment and Challenges

Assessment. The linkages among the players in legal mechanisms, costly development of IPs,
the STI ecosystem remain limited despite some long processing time of IPs, among others. Other
significant strengthening of collaboration among challenges include inadequate research and
the government, academe, and industry in the development (R&D) infrastructure, especially
past year. Furthermore, the problem of slow in the regions, and slow implementation of STI
commercialization of outputs of STI activities and projects, due to procurement concerns and complex
its underutilization persist. This may be partly due administrative requirements.
to the absence of a vibrant intellectual property (IP)
culture brought about by issues in IP ownership, The country also continued to underinvest in R&D1
lack of a legally-sanctioned payment mechanism and there is also low level of awareness on the results
for financial contributions and familiarity on of R&D activities and the government’s support

1
Based on the latest available data from the Department of Science and Technology - Planning and Evaluation Service (DOST-PES) (as of January
2019), the Philippines’ overall R&D expenditure slightly grew to 0.16 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2015 from 0.14 percent in
2013. However, this still reflects low R&D expenditure relative to the country’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) peers. This is
also way below the 1 percent R&D spending share to GDP benchmark for developing countries recommended by the United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Chapter 14 Vigorously Advancing Science, Technology, and Innovation | 245

mechanisms to help firms become more innovative. and provide more resources to STI, as science-
Information dissemination campaigns, particularly based methods and solutions will be needed more
on available technologies, remain inadequate and than ever in the new normal to curtail, mitigate,
fragmented.2 With these, many sectors still do and respond to emerging challenges and potential
not recognize, appreciate, and understand the use catastrophes whether man-made or natural. The
of technology and science-based information in health sector, in particular, will be among the major
their daily activities, which is exacerbated by the gainers in this advancement of the sciences in the
dwindling interest in science among the youth, country.
inaccessible scientific information, and the lack of
a conducive environment to develop an STI culture. There will be increased interest in using advances
in biology and medical science in the new normal.
Based on the World Economic Forum (WEF) Similar to the development of COVID-19 testing
Readiness for the Future of Production Report kits by local scientists, there will be greater efforts
2018, the Philippines is not yet prepared to to find ways to manage pandemic situations via
manage the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIRe), STI. Among these are means by which mass
as manifested in its weak performance across the testing can be facilitated, including the design
drivers of production, which include technology and manufacture of medical equipment that
and innovation, human capital, global trade and can aid in the treatment of patients, such as
investment, institutional framework, sustainable ventilators, among others. Moreover, the demand
resources, and demand environment, among for health-related technologies (i.e., sanitation
others.3 For instance, the number of the country’s booths, contact-tracing applications, and other
researchers for every one million population researches related to the treatment or response to
declined to 200 in 2015 from 270 in 2013. This is the pandemic) is seen to increase. As companies,
also lower than the United Nations Educational, schools, and government agencies implement
Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) work from home arrangements, the use of digital
norm of 380 per million population and the East technology will rise significantly. In addition,
Asia and the Pacific average of 1,020 researchers per online business transactions and digital payments
million population. In monitoring the performance will increasingly become a necessity rather than
of the STI ecosystem, the existing data on STI are convenience. All these need to be supported by a
still not enough to keep track and monitor the reliable digital infrastructure system with strong
sector’s progress and performance. cybersecurity protection. In the production sector,
there will be increased demand for automation
Challenges. The adverse spillovers of the prolonged and digitalization to supplement manual labor
pandemic to the economic sector could bring in the immediate term. Over the medium term,
about a reduction of available resources for STI automated and digitalized processes may substitute
since the government will now be more focused on for labor.
addressing the most immediate concerns. However,
this is also the opportune time to further strengthen

2
Fatima Lourdes E. Del Prado and Maureen Ann D. Rosellon, “Technology and Knowledge Transfers in Production Networks: Case Study on
Philippine Food Manufacturing Firms,” Discussion Paper Series No. 2017-08, Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), March 2017.
3
As the study defined, “production” involves a broad spectrum of economic activities related to manufacturing products and goods. A full end-to-
end appraisal of what it entails reveals the following sequence: Design-Source-Manufacture-Assemble-Distribute-Service-End of Use-Cycle. On
the other hand, “readiness” is generally regarded as the ability to capitalize on future production opportunities, mitigate risks and challenges, and
be resilient and agile in responding to unknown future shocks.

246 | Updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

Targets
Table 14.1 shows the indicators and medium- generation, acquisition, and adoption will be
term targets for each major outcome under this gauged based on the country’s WIPO - Knowledge
chapter. However, these indicators are limited only and Technology Outputs percentile rank of the
to those that have available data. The increase in country, R&D expenditure as a proportion of gross
STI application in agriculture, industry, services, domestic product (GDP), number of researchers per
and health sectors will be measured based on the million population, number of Science, Technology,
increase in the expenditure and in the number Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) enrollees
of intellectual property products that have and graduates in higher education institutes
been registered and filed. In the same way, the (HEIs), and the number of Balik Scientists engaged.
investments in STI-based startups, enterprises, Likewise, the strength of the open collaboration
and spin-offs will be assessed based on the World among actors in the STI ecosystem will be
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) - determined based on the WIPO University-Industry
Investment Index percentile rank of the country Collaboration percentile rank and the number of
and the number of technology business incubators collaborations among the HEIs, industries, and the
(TBI) graduates and innovation hubs (e.g., TBIs, government.
innovation centers, niche centers, etc.) established.
The creative capacity for knowledge and technology

Table 14.1 Updated Plan Targets to Vigorously Advance Science, Technology, and Innovation

BASELINE VALUE TARGETS

INDICATOR
(YEAR) 2020 2021 2022 END OF PLAN

Sector Outcome 1: Scale-up technology adoption

Subsector Outcome: STI application in agriculture, industry, services, and health sectors increased

Proportion of intellectual property products expenditures 0.46

Increasing Increasing Increasing Increasing
to GDP increased (%)b/ (2016)*

Number of Filipino patents granted increased 30

38** 30*** 38*** 38***
(incremental)a/ (2016)

Number of Filipino utility models registered increased 552

727** 584*** 750*** 750***
(incremental)a/ (2016)

Number of Filipino industrial designs registered 508

627** 494*** 622*** 622***
increased (incremental)a/ (2016)

245
Number of Filipino patents filed increasedb/ 348** 353*** 394*** 394***
(2016)

1,100
Number of Filipino utility models filed increasedb/ 1,862** 1,380*** 1,848*** 1,848***
(2016)

959
Number of Filipino industrial designs filed increasedb/ 910** 675*** 873*** 873***
(2016)

Number of Filipino patents filed under 2

3 3 4 4
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) increasedb/ (2018)

Chapter 14 Vigorously Advancing Science, Technology, and Innovation | 247

 BASELINE VALUE TARGETS
INDICATOR
(YEAR) 2020 2021 2022 END OF PLAN

Subsector Outcome: Investments in STI-based start-ups, enterprises, and spin-offs increased

Global Innovation Index (GII) – Investment Index 17

22 24 25 25
percentile rank improvedd/ (2016)

Number of TBI graduates increased 41

Increasing** 230*** 270*** 1,000***
(i.e., enterprises and spin-offs)a/ (2016)

Number of innovation hubs increased 23

63 108*** 128*** 128***
(e.g., TBIs, innovation centers, niche centers, etc.)a/ (2016)

Sector Outcome 2: Accelerate Innovation

Subsector Outcome: Creative capacity for knowledge and technology generation, acquisition, and adoption enhanced

Top 58%
Overall Global Innovation Index (GII) rank improvedc/ Top 38%** Top 35% Top 33% Top 33%
(2016)

GII-Knowledge and Technology Outputs percentile 66

Top 33% Top 33% Top 33% Top 33%
rank improvedd/ (2016)

R&D expenditure as a proportion of GDP increased 0.16

0.35 0.40 0.50 0.50
(in percent, incremental)a/ (2015)*

Number of researchers per million population increased 200

290 295 300 300
(incremental)a/ (2015)*

Number of STEM enrollees in HEIs increased 1.29

1.7 1.59 2.03 2.03
(in million, incremental)a/ (AY 2015-2016)

183,000
Number of STEM graduates in HEIs increaseda/ 50,000 113,000 318,000 318,000
(AY 2015-2016)

Number of Balik Scientists engaged increased 25

46** 101*** 151*** 151***
(incremental)a/ (2016)

Subsector Outcome: Open collaboration among actors in the STI ecosystem strengthened

GII University-Industry Collaboration percentile 52.5

Top 49% Top 49% Top 49% Top 49%
rank improvedd/ (2016)

Number of collaborations between HEIs and industries 70

120 130 150 150
increased (incremental)a/ (2014)

Number of collaborations between HEIs and government

300
increased (National Government Agencies [NGA] and 450 480 500 500
(2015)
LGUs) (incremental)a/

Number of STI-related international cooperations of HEIs 40

80 95*** 100 100
increased (incremental)a/ (2015)

a/
Original indicators set/approved in 2016 (https://neda.gov.ph/pdp-results-matrices/2017-2022/).
b/
Indicators set/approved before the pandemic (abridged version as of March 2020)
c/
New indicators set/approved after the March 2020 version.
d/
Original indicators set/approved in 2016 but with the terms corrected.
* Revision in baseline data.
**2020 original targets set/approved in 2016/prior to the pandemic retained.
*** Revisions in targets for the remaining years of the Plan period.

248 | Updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

Strategic Framework
Many of the strategies under this Chapter were up technology adoption, STI application in the
refined to address the problems posed by the agriculture, industry, services, and health sectors,
pandemic and also considered the existing and as well as investments in STI-based startups,
anticipated problems of the STI sector. As such, enterprises and spin-offs, will be increased. These
STI is deemed to contribute to the achievement applications primarily cut across PDP Chapters 8,
of the overall Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 9, and 10. To accelerate innovation, the creative
goal of “Healthy and Resilient Philippines” by capacity for knowledge and technology generation,
increasing the country’s growth potential. This will acquisition, and adoption will be enhanced,
be done by scaling-up technology adoption and and open collaboration among actors in the STI
accelerating innovation to address the potential ecosystem will be strengthened.
challenges ushered in by the new normal. To scale-

Figure 14.1 Strategic Framework to Vigorously Advance Science, Technology, and Innovation

Chapter 14 Vigorously Advancing Science, Technology, and Innovation | 249

Strategies
Scaling-up technology platforms, support mechanisms to businesses/
entrepreneurs (e.g., Negosyo Centers),
adoption entrepreneurial organizations (e.g., Philippine
Chamber of Commerce and Industry), SUCs
Increasing STI application in agriculture, and HEIs offering business/entrepreneurial
industry, services, and health sectors courses, offices of LGUs (e.g., city/barangay
halls issuing business permits/licenses), and
Promote commercialization and utilization of others, as venues to introduce research outputs
technologies from publicly-funded R&D. of the government and the academe that are
ready for adoption, as well as the different
• Intensify the rollout of available technologies support services of the government, to startups
that can be used during pandemic, state of and MSMEs to help them become more
calamities, emergencies, and the transition to innovative.
the new normal. The government will conduct
an inventory for possible scale-up, promotion, • Formulate public procurement guidelines for
and dissemination of available technologies STI PPAs consistent with the Government
(e.g., technologies for prolonged food shelf- Procurement Reform Act (GPRA) (RA
life, possible alternative materials for personal 9184). The NIC, in coordination with the
protective equipment, e-vehicles, renewable Government Procurement Policy Board
energy technologies, digital technologies, (GPPB), will review and identify problems in
information-sharing mobile applications and the current procurement process for STI PPAs
portals, information technology (IT) facilities, and suggest solutions on how to resolve these
telemedicine technologies, COVID-19 tracking constraints. This will entail the issuance of
and monitoring technologies, contract tracing procurement guidelines consistent with RA
report system, and disease spread modeling 9184 that will ensure efficiency, transparency,
technologies, among others). Shared service timeliness, and relevance in the procurement
facilities and other existing STI support process for STI PPAs (e.g., creation of special/
infrastructure will be utilized for mass separate procurement process for certain STI
production. Moreover, the government will projects). This strategy will be prioritized and
incentivize, subsidize, and support researchers implemented with urgency, in light of the
and research institutions that will engage current pandemic and possible occurrences of
in R&D related to development of test kits, disasters, epidemics, and other emergencies.
medical equipment, vaccines (e.g., COVID-19
vaccine), medicine, and others. • Operationalize the Filipinnovation Portal.4 The
government will fast-track the establishment of
• Utilize innovation hubs, business support the Filipinnovation portal which will serve as a
mechanisms, state universities and colleges repository of government and academic research
(SUCs), private HEIs, and LGUs to promote and innovation outputs. These research outputs
technologies and government support to in the portal will be segregated by sector/areas
innovation activities. The government (e.g., farming, fisheries, industrial applications,
will actively use innovation hubs, online energy, services, health, construction, food

4
The preparation of the Innovation Portal is being supported by the Global Innovation Policy Accelerator. The Global Policy Accelerator program
is funded through the United Kingdom government’s Newton Fund and delivers executive development to national cohorts of senior policymakers
from the main innovation institutions, while strengthening the implementation capabilities of their teams. (https://www.nesta.org.uk/ project/
global-innovation-policy-accelerator/)

250 | Updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

 production, digital technologies, and national from publicly-funded R&D, the transfer or
security and defense, among others), for distribution of these technologies as a public
easier reference. The portal will also contain good will be encouraged. These technologies
government programs and projects that can will be transferred in a non-exclusive and non-
be availed to obtain support on innovation competitive manner where no licensing fees,
activities and scholarship programs. Access to technology fees, and/or royalty will be charged
the portal will be free for all Filipinos. Once or collected. The provision of free technologies
operational, it will be aggressively promoted to to target users such as farmers, fisherfolk, and
the public and will be regularly monitored and small-scale industries, among others intends
updated, as needed. It will also be integrated and to upgrade their processes and operations for
harmonized with the other existing innovation improved productivity.
websites of the government such as the Startup
Philippines website. Develop a vibrant intellectual property rights
culture.
Alongside this, the government will launch an
interactive communication strategy or platform • Expand the network of Innovation and
where STI results, initiatives, and efforts are Technology Support Offices (ITSOs) and
highlighted and communicated to Filipinos for enhance and develop its capacities to do online
their feedback. transactions. The Intellectual Property Office
of the Philippines (IPOPHL) will continue to
• Increase public awareness on R&D activities. establish more ITSOs throughout the country
To become more effective in communicating and further enhance the capacities of existing
and raising awareness on R&D, investments ITSOs to guide innovators/inventors — from
in promotions and communications will be IP creation, protection, to commercialization,
increased. The government will maximize thus, improving patent applications’
the use of information and communications performance. In addition, the IPOPHL will
technology (ICT)/online platforms in capacitate the ITSOs to do their transactions/
the conduct of technology transfer and services online to assist clients (e.g. inventors)
commercialization programs, such as science remotely.
fairs, exhibits, invention contests, and
technology transfer days, among others, to • Streamline and rationalize administrative
help publicize and commercialize the existing and registration procedures to remove
technologies from the government, academe, several barriers to innovation. To encourage
and the industry. Technology promotions and improve innovation, the IPOPHL, in
under these initiatives will be conducted by coordination with the NIC, will streamline
sector/area (e.g., agriculture, industry, services, and rationalize administrative and registration
farming, fisheries, industrial applications, procedures. It will also undertake programs
energy, services, health, construction, food to assist MSMEs in the registration of patents,
production, digital technologies, national layout designs, registration of trademarks, and
security, and defense, among others). Face- geographical indications and other marks of
to-face/physical technology transfer and ownership, industrial designs, utility models,
commercialization programs will still be and deposit of copyrights. The IPOPHL
continued in accordance with appropriate will develop and provide the necessary IT
social distancing measures. infrastructure so that bulk of its services,
processes, and procedures can be done online.
• Ensure that the transfer or distribution of Reforms on these initiatives will be reported to
technologies as a public good will be on a the NIC for effective monitoring and tracking
non-exclusive and non-competitive basis. To of results. Under the new normal, e-commerce
ensure greater access to technologies generated platforms are expected to be on the rise, thus, the

Chapter 14 Vigorously Advancing Science, Technology, and Innovation | 251

 IPOPHL will also strengthen IP enforcement academe-industry collaborations and industrial
on virtual platforms. competitiveness through the Collaborative
R&D to Leverage Philippine Economy
• Increase public awareness of the National (CRADLE) and Business Innovation through
Intellectual Property Strategy (NIPS) and steer S&T (BIST) Programs. The Department of
its adoption. The NIPS is the government’s Science and Technology (DOST) recently
main action plan in creating a robust intellectual launched the CRADLE Challenge 2020 inviting
property regime, with strategies proposed for HEIs/RDIs to partner with Filipino private
regulation, administration, and enforcement companies to formulate solutions that can aid
of IP. The envisioned IP system under the NIPS our industries in overcoming the challenge of
is seen to be more systematic, comprehensive, the new normal.5
and effective in delivering reliable service for
Philippine creators and innovators. Hence, • Establish and expand the funding mechanisms
the IPOPHL, in coordination with the NIC, provided under the Philippine Innovation
will conduct various awareness campaigns/ Act and the Innovative Startup Act. The
programs to promote the NIPS. Furthermore, government will invest in the growth and
the IP process (e.g., from application to development of startup enterprises and
commercialization) will also be made part of partner with the private sector to ensure
the curriculum in science and engineering availability of financing for startups. The
courses to increase awareness and encourage Startup Venture Fund and Startup Grant Fund
participation. under the Innovative Startup Act as well as the
Innovation Fund, Innovation Development
Increasing investments in STI-based Credit and Financing, and Credit Quota
startups, enterprises, and spin-offs under the Philippine Innovation Act will be
operationalized towards ease of access by
Encourage more innovative financing startups and MSMEs. The government will also
mechanisms and private sector investments. require financial institutions to dedicate four
percent of their available credit for startups and
• Institutionalize the implementation of MSMEs, as promulgated under the Philippine
the Science for Change Program (S4CP). Innovation Act. Thus, the formulation of
The government will institutionalize the guidelines on both legislation will be fast-
implementation of the S4CP to advance the tracked.
proliferation of demand-driven innovation
activities that will respond to the demand of Provide support mechanisms for startups and
the users of technologies. The S4CP seeks to MSMEs in the regions.
accelerate and expand STI programs in the
country and will promote development and • Fast-track the implementation of the newly-
industrial competitiveness in the regions enacted “Innovative Startup Act” (RA 11337).
through the establishment of R&D centers The Philippine Startup Development Program
under the Niche Centers in the Regions for will be formulated to provide monetary
R&D (NICER) program. The R&D Leadership and operational support to innovative and
(RDLead) program supports the NICER technology startups. The program will also
program through engaging Filipino experts provide capacity-building and exchange
to lead in strengthening research capabilities programs, as well as links to potential investors,
of HEIs and research and development collaborators, and customers in the Philippines
institutions (RDIs). It is also expected to boost and abroad. In addition, the MSME Innovation

5
The CRADLE Challenge has four thematic areas: (a) sustainable supply and logistics, (b) products for the new normal, (c) reinventing the
workplace, and (d) services that transcend boundaries. The developed research outputs are aimed to advance the innovativeness and competitiveness
of local Filipino companies and ultimately help jumpstart the Philippine economy.

252 | Updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

 Development Program will be mobilized to country (e.g., Batangas City [CALABARZON],
enable government agencies to work hand Iloilo [Region 6], and Zamboanga [Region 9]).
in hand with private organizations and These programs include, but are not limited
academic institutions to provide technical to, capacity-building activities for eligible and
and/or financial support programs for the qualified startups or MSMEs affected by the
development training of entrepreneurs. A pandemic, funding assistance/credit programs,
regulatory sandbox6 approach will be used and matching needs of MSMEs with startup
by the government for unimpeded roll out of solutions providers.
startup technologies.
• Expand innovation/business support
• Bolster government support to MSMEs and mechanisms to include online presence. Some
startups to enhance their innovation activities. services of the innovation hubs and TBIs,
This will be done through programs, such as innovation centers, among others, will be
the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading conducted online (e.g., mentoring, training, and
Program (SETUP) 2.0, "OneExpert, OneLab", consultancy services), if applicable, to comply
Shared Services Facilities, Kapatid Mentor with social distancing measures. Furthermore,
Me, "One Town, One Product", and TBI 4.0. these innovation support mechanisms will
To advance innovation and facilitate efficient also promote their services online to entice
operation of MSMEs, the services of the Food beneficiaries. Government agencies with
Innovation Centers (FICs) will be upgraded existing online portals on business support
from product prototyping or pilot-scale mechanisms will be enhanced and strengthened.
processing into toll processing. Pending the
operationalization of the Filipinnovation portal, The IPOPHL will also conduct training online
the Startup Philippines website will provide a through webinars such as the Learn, Be
centralized platform for news and information Empowered, Adopt, and Profit from IP (LEAP
on government startup support programs and IP) Webinar Project and expand its online
networking and learning opportunities, as well payment options for clients.
as a one-stop-shop for startup registration and
support program applications.
Accelerating innovation
• Continue reconfiguring the Department of
Trade and Industry’s (DTI) lineup of programs Enhancing creative capacity for knowledge
and projects available for startups and MSMEs and technology generation, acquisition, and
in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. adoption
In response to the pandemic, the DTI will
reconfigure its lineup of projects and programs Support research and development agenda.
to make it compatible to the minimum public
health standards under the new normal. • Formulate the National Innovation Agenda
The establishment of Regional Inclusive Strategy Document (NIASD). The government,
Innovation Centers (RIICs) will be continued through the NIC, will craft the NIASD that will
and replicated in other key areas around the establish the country’s vision and long-term
goals for innovation, consistent with global
and regional commitments and with AmBisyon
6
A regulatory approach, typically summarized in writing and
Natin 2040 and the PDP. This document will
published, that allows live, time-bound testing of innovations under also provide a roadmap consisting of strategies
a regulator’s oversight. Novel financial products, technologies, and and action plans for improving innovation
business models can be tested under a set of rules, supervision
requirements, and appropriate safeguards. A regulatory sandbox governance (e.g., identifying and addressing the
also creates a conducive and contained space where incumbents and absorptive capacities of government agencies
challengers experiment with innovations at the edge or even outside of doing R&D).
the existing regulatory framework. (UNSGSA, Briefing on Regulatory
Sandboxes.)

Chapter 14 Vigorously Advancing Science, Technology, and Innovation | 253

 The NIASD will contain innovation priority expanded and aligned with RD&E themes of
areas (e.g., food security, sustainable agriculture the government. This will be complemented
and natural resources, blue economy, education, by sustained and aggressive capacity-building
vocational training, health, renewable energy, activities particularly for R&D institutions in
climate change and disaster resilience, resource the regions to spur regional R&D that addresses
efficiencies, traditional knowledge, traditional local concerns, expands opportunities for
cultural expressions, genetic resources, growth, and brings about significant changes in
infrastructure, governance, human capital, the regional STI landscape. Additional sources
digital economy, transportation services, of funding for RD&E will also be identified
security and defense, and others as may be (e.g., Department of Energy [DOE] unutilized
deemed relevant by the NIC), the strategies to fund and Malampaya).
be used to realize these priorities, and for which
resources and budget will be provided. • Conduct R&D studies on renewable energy
technologies. The government will explore
In relation, the government will support the and conduct R&D studies on renewable
conduct of long-term STI foresight studies energy technologies, including the viability
and development of evidenced-based planning of new technologies to expand the share of
framework to complement the NIASD, taking renewables in the energy supply mix to fuel the
into consideration the whole STI ecosystem. country’s industrialization and urbanization,
Increasing capacities on planning tools such as while simultaneously being mindful of its
foresight techniques will also be pursued. environmental responsibility. Moreover, the
government will promote an innovation culture
• Establish relevance criteria and Research, that supports new and emerging renewable
Development, and Extension (RD&E) themes technologies, as well as innovative business
under the new normal. The government, models in the renewable energy industry (see
guided by the country’s innovation agenda and Chapter 19).
development goals, will develop RD&E themes.
These themes will be adopted in the RD&E • Intensify the conduct of R&D through public-
programs of concerned agencies which will private partnership (PPP). The NIC will
ensure that a higher level of mission orientation intensify the undertaking of PPP on R&D,
in publicly-funded research is observed. A including innovation, to encourage the private
“relevance criteria” will also be applied by sector to deepen their R&D activities while at
the agencies concerned, in the selection of the same time accelerating the public sector’s
RD&E programs or projects for funding. The efforts. This will help the government tap more
relevance criteria will take into consideration resources, avoid financial and procurement
the development thrusts and priorities of issues, and allow inflows of complementary
various regions in the country to ensure private sector resources and expertise.
alignment (e.g., research areas needed to cope
with the COVID-19 pandemic and the new • Strengthen monitoring and evaluation system
normal). The government will likewise conduct for all STI-related programs and projects.
an inventory of academic or educational and Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) mechanisms
RD&E institutions, as well as their resources for RD&E, including impact assessment, will be
and capacities to undertake RD&E programs enhanced to ensure the attainment of targeted
and projects. The inventory will serve as a outputs and intended outcomes as well as
reference when deciding the allocation of improve process performance. Adoption of the
public funds for these purposes. The research M&E Protocol prepared by the DOST for the
areas under the Harmonized National Research STI community will also be encouraged.
and Development Agenda 2017-2022 will be

254 | Updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

• Operationalize the Philippine Space Agency Moreover, the national budget circular
and implement the Philippine Space guidelines for promoting faculty members
Development and Utilization Policy. With the in SUCs and institutions supervised by the
signing into law of the Philippine Space Act Technical Education and Skills Development
(RA 11363), the government has established Authority (TESDA) will be revisited regularly to
the Philippine Space Agency and the Philippine ensure that those who are engaged in RD&E and
Space Development and Utilization Policy to innovation, under the Philippine Innovation
enable the country to reap the benefits of the Act, are given the proper recognition and
development and use of space technologies commensurate points.
(e.g., agribusiness, environmental conservation,
national security and defense, telemedicine, • Accelerate efforts to prepare for the
infrastructure monitoring, urban planning, emerging Fourth Industrial Revolution
transportation and communication, and (FIRe) landscape. The government, through
disaster management). This will also provide the NIC, will identify the priority frontier
the Philippines a wider platform to contribute technologies7 that are relevant to the country’s
to regional efforts on hazard management development setting and incorporate these in
and climate studies, space research and the RD&E themes that will be developed by
development, space industry capacity the government. The NIC will also provide
building, space education and awareness, and support (e.g., training programs to build new
international cooperation. skills) to those that will be adversely affected
(e.g., workers) by the emergence of the FIRe.
• Formulate a Human Resource Development Accelerating curriculum development related
(HRD) Plan for researchers in higher to FIRe and its approval by the Commission on
education. This is to ensure that policies in HEIs Higher Education (CHED) will also be critical.
especially in government-funded institutions The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
provide incentives for research and mentoring. - Competitiveness and Innovation Group will
This will entail providing opportunities for continue the implementation of its programs
aspiring researchers to get startup support, related to the absorption of industry 4.0
setting policies to make research rewarding technologies and startup development.
(e.g., deloading, compensation, and peer
recognition), and ensuring that research Increase funding for HRD.
outputs are supported for patenting and
commercialization within the institution. The • Expand the provision of scholarship programs.
plan will be inclusive, allowing small niche The government will continue and expand
institutions to participate and develop their the provision of scholarship programs
capability to ensure that research capacity is such as the Expanded Specialized Science
distributed not just in major urban centers of Secondary Education Scholarships, Expanded
the country. In addition, the plan will also take Undergraduate Science and Technology (S&T)
into consideration the needs of the regions and Scholarships for Inclusive Development,
ensure that research manpower is responsive to and Expanded S&T Graduate (Masters/
those needs. Ph.D.) Scholarships, among others to further
encourage students to pursue STI courses.

7
There is no universally-agreed definition for frontier technology. However, there is a recurring common feature across the different technological
advances and that they all “have the potential to disrupt the status quo, alter the way people live and work, rearrange value pools, and lead to
entirely new products and services." (UN-ESCAP, Frontier Technologies for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, 2018.). Some
examples of frontier technologies are nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, internet-of- things, bioprinting, big data, blockchain, robotics,
neurotechnology, synthetic biology, and others.

Chapter 14 Vigorously Advancing Science, Technology, and Innovation | 255

 Moreover, the government will implement will also be advanced through the deployment
changes to the STEM curriculum8 and include of trained CIOs in government agencies,
life-long learning skills development to enable assigned to lead in the development of internal
workers to respond to the requirements of the digital transformation strategies and business
FIRe. This will be complemented by an intensive continuity plans (BCPs).
information drive to further increase the
number of scholarship applicants. Government The Digital Workforce program of the DICT will
officials’ leadership capacities for innovation also be launched as a capacity-building program
will also be enhanced by conducting regular to enable the broader use of digital technologies
training programs/management seminars that in critical sectors such as education, finance,
will enable the government to lead relevant health, agriculture, and logistics (see Chapter
stakeholders (e.g., industries and academe) 10).
towards becoming innovative (see Chapter 10).
• Pursue adult learning through online, distance,
• Expand the implementation of and/or blended learning. This will involve
entrepreneurship-related courses to the promotion of more open online courses
engineering and the other allied disciplines. (MOOCs) and flexible training arrangements
Technopreneurship courses (e.g., through blended programs that will reduce
Technopreneurship 101) will be scaled up to face-to-face contact. Education agencies
expose undergraduate engineering students will also collaborate with the private sector
to the entrepreneurial mindset and the and professional organizations to increase
fundamentals of entrepreneurship. As such, it the number of online courses accredited
will be spread out to more HEIs throughout for Continuing Professional Development.
the country to increase their appreciation of Curricular adjustments will be done to adapt to
STI and entrepreneurship, thereby increasing the new teaching-learning mode.
the utilization of technologies and innovation.
Development of support programs will also be Strengthening formal and informal education
provided to ensure engineering graduates take on health, food, and well-being will also be
on entrepreneurship as a career option. pursued to equip Filipinos with the fundamental
education and preparedness on sound practices
• Expand digital skills development programs in staying healthy and well.
for government employees and public school
teachers. The DICT, in support of the DepEd, • Increase the number of HEIs offering quality
the CHED, and the TESDA, will assist in the programs in STI-aligned fields, especially in
provision of teacher training opportunities engineering and the sciences. SUCs will invest
related to digital literacy, cybersecurity, in the enhancement of quality of program
and other digital skills. The DICT will also offerings and will explore offering engineering
contribute to the government’s efforts towards and science programs to increase the number
digital transformation through the conduct of scientists and engineers. This can be achieved
of digital skills development programs for through sustained investments in facilities and
government employees and the deployment of faculty development coupled with proactive
Chief Information Officers (CIOs) to various outreach to potential feeder high schools that
government agencies. Government employees could be assisted to provide students for the
will be provided with professional training SUCs. STI HRD will get a boost from the free
to effectively use digital tools and efficiently higher education provided through SUCs.
perform tasks even in alternative work setups.
Government plans, policies, and processes Tap foreign and overseas Filipino expertise.

8
CHED will lead the updating of the curriculum.

256 | Updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

• Support the liberalization of certain • Strengthen infrastructure for and regulation
professions in the Regular Foreign Investment of digital transactions. Given the increased
Negative List (RFINL). The government demand for digital transactions (e.g., digital
will support and pursue initiatives to remove payments, online delivery, digital tax payments,
restrictions on the practice of professions and online financial services, among others),
by foreign experts (e.g., engineers) listed in relevant digital infrastructure and regulatory
the RFINL. Pending the amendments to the oversight will be strengthened, including
relevant national laws which restrict foreign closer monitoring of cybersecurity plans.
professionals from entering the country, the The implementation of DICT’s National
government will consider crafting procedures Broadband Program will be fast-tracked to
and measures in granting of temporary permits provide the national ICT backbone to support
(see Chapter 9). government services delivery, including the use
of digital transactions and the linking of digital
• Promote more participation of scientists in transformation and research laboratories as
the Balik Scientist Program. The government part of the STI ecosystem.
will aggressively promote the enhanced benefits
and incentives under the Balik Scientist Act to Foster STI culture.
encourage wider participation, particularly, in
sectors and areas where expertise is lacking. • Harmonize/consolidate the communication
advocacy of the government on STI.
• Promote startup visas and other benefits and Government will consolidate all its existing
incentives under the Innovative Startup Act communication advocacy and campaigns
(RA 11337). The government will strategically and turn it into a comprehensive/harmonized
market the country’s startup ecosystem to advocacy plan to promote better public
experienced startup founders, investors, and appreciation and understanding of STI.
other enablers. Privately-owned mass media networks will be
incentivized to undertake mass education and
Strengthen STI infrastructure. promotion of science-responsive communities.

• Establish STI facilities and innovation hubs. • Aggressively promote to the public the
The government will engage with the academe importance and benefits of science in helping
and industry to build more makerspace, resolve national issues. The government will
innovation hubs, innovation centers, use new and traditional media to inform the
FabLabs, laboratory facilities, R&D centers, public of the benefits, importance, and potential
and prototyping facilities, as well as science of science to address various challenges
and technology parks in strategic locations and move the country forward. Public trust
throughout the country to support the in science is important for science-based
innovation and technology requirements of the policy to succeed. Highly-technical data and
MSMEs and startups. Moreover, the OneLab information will be conveyed in a manner that
Network, a platform which integrates DOST can be easily understood by the public. In the
analytical and testing laboratories and other case of the COVID-19 pandemic, the massive
laboratories in the Philippines and ASEAN information campaign and institution of control
countries, will be strengthened to provide easy measures have helped in the reduction of virus
access to testing and calibration services. The transmission. As an example, altering public
capabilities of existing and new STI facilities behavior to lower virus transmission depends
and innovation hubs to execute some of their on how scientific data are imparted to the
services online will also be developed. populace. “Flattening the curve” for ordinary
citizens was unknown before the pandemic, but

Chapter 14 Vigorously Advancing Science, Technology, and Innovation | 257

 through the communication efforts executed Strengthening open collaboration among
by doctors and scientists in several platforms, actors in the STI ecosystem
people were encouraged to remain indoors
to minimize transmission. Misinformation Strengthen multisectoral collaboration.
about COVID-19 continually spread, leading
to fear of the unknown. Scientific findings and • Establish and operationalize the NIC. In
projections on the virus, however frightening, line with the Philippine Innovation Act (RA
shed light on how extensive it is. Scientists 11293),10 the government will establish the
are being relied on to minimize fear, as such, NIC, an inter-agency committee that will
accurate and effective communication by adopt a “whole-of-government approach” in
scientists will be used to reduce the anxiety of steering the direction of STI development
the populace. in the country. This will also identify and
eliminate the areas of fragmentation/gaps in
• Better appreciation of STI by Filipinos could the governance framework of the STI sector
also be achieved by communicating tangible leading to the lack of coherence in the policies,
results. Several tools have been used to address plans, and programs. Moreover, the NIC
the challenges caused by the crisis. For instance, will strengthen and deepen interactions and
the Baguio City LGU used a predictive analytics partnerships among different actors from the
tool to understand the transmission of the virus public and private sector, academe, MSMEs,
in the locality and has contributed to the goal of RDIs, and communities towards promoting
containing the virus. A group of University of inclusive growth and improving the quality of
the Philippines (UP) researchers has correctly life through innovation.
estimated the number of people to be affected
by the virus should the government implement Pending the creation of a secretariat and a
relaxed quarantine guidelines. The UP National unit of personnel that will help carry out the
Institute of Health (UP-NIH) has successfully activities of the NIC, the NEDA will constitute
developed test kits9 that helped expand the an interim Secretariat through temporary detail
testing capacity of the country. of personnel from the NIC member agencies,
pursuant to RA 11293.
To help enhance the long-term capabilities of
the country’s workforce to generate new ideas Intensify international cooperation in STI.
for innovation and at the same time produce
an agile workforce, creativity will be strongly • Encourage open science and collaboration
nurtured as a vital skill of students at all levels to combat public health issues and emerging
and will also be integrated into all disciplines diseases such as COVID-19. International
(e.g., science and engineering courses). The collaboration in scientific research and
transformation of the DepEd’s STEM Program innovation has accelerated in the past months.
to science, technology, engineering, arts, and The Philippines has taken advantage of this
math (STEAM) will serve as a starting point opportunity to improve the country’s knowledge
(see Chapter 7). and scientific social capital. At the onset of the
COVID-19 pandemic, scientific journals were
made accessible to the public free of charge.

9
Talingdan, Maria Elena A., "DOST-NRCP Vice President Dr. Raul V. Destura, the Scientist behind the First Local COVID-19 Testing Kit," NRCP
Website, April 6, 2020.
10
The law establishes the NIC which will develop the country’s innovation goals, priorities, and long-term national strategy. Said Council will
also formulate a National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document that establishes the country’s vision and long-term goals for innovation and
provides a roadmap and the strategies for improving innovation governance through clear-cut delineation and complementation of innovation
efforts across agencies, deepening and accelerating innovation efforts, and integrating and fostering public-private partnerships, among others.

258 | Updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

 Several digital platforms have also provided building. Bilateral and multilateral partnerships
opportunities for a more sustained STI will also be used to acquire new and existing
international collaboration, as the pandemic foreign technologies (e.g., those that may be
pushed global scientific communication. These used to address the COVID-19 pandemic and
seem to be proving helpful for the advancement adapt to the new normal).
of the STI ecosystem in developing countries,
such as the Philippines. Implement the recommendations of the Scoping
Study on STI Statistics.
• Intensify international STI collaboration. The
Philippines will continue to actively participate The results of the scoping study on STI statistics will
and figure more prominently in regional feed into the work of and will be implemented by
and international discussions on STI. As a the Inter-Agency Committee (IAC) on STI Statistics.
member of a global scientific community, the The IAC will aim to resolve the issues and concerns
Philippines will showcase Filipino ingenuity being encountered by various government agencies
and innovations as possible solutions to in producing STI statistics. The government will also
common global problems and concerns. In identify indicators with available regional data to
addition, it will continue to explore new and enable the concerned regional offices to effectively
emerging areas of scientific cooperation where monitor their STI sector. This will allow the regions
the country and its partner governments and to provide their regional baselines, targets, and actual
institutions may mutually benefit from (e.g., data on certain STI indicators.
vaccine development, space and satellite
technology, artificial intelligence, security The government will also require various
and defense, etc.). The government will also stakeholders (e.g., SUCs) to submit data that will
intensify its efforts in improving the country’s be recommended under the scoping study (e.g.,
STI standing in the international community R&D data) and encourage private corporations
through information dissemination on to participate voluntarily in sharing relevant data.
potential STI partners in the Philippines, These data will also serve as the country’s inputs to
promoting international activities related to various global indices. The Department of Budget
STI, and fostering exchanges on STI activities. and Management (DBM) and the DOST will work
Further, strategic partnerships will be built closely to develop the Unified Accounts Code
with other countries through activities such Structure (UACS) for the R&D spending in the
as joint R&D, exchange of scientists, building public sector. This will contribute significantly to the
researchers' networks, joint seminars/ data collection and generation of the sector that will
workshops, technology transfer, and capacity- substantially aid the development planning cycle.

Legislative Agenda
Table 14.2 Legislative Agenda to Vigorously Advance Science, Technology, and Innovation

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA RATIONALE

STI application in agriculture, industry, services, and health sectors increased

Amendments to the This seeks to strengthen the IPOPHL as the lead government agency in IP. It intends
Intellectual Property (IP) Code to improve its organizational structure to maintain and implement effective, efficient,
economical, responsive, technology-driven, and sustainable services and programs;
protect, enforce, and adjudicate; promote and steer creativity, innovation, development,
utilization, and commercialization that would benefit MSMEs; enhance learning,
advocacy; and support the enhancement of digital infrastructure and interconnectivity.

Chapter 14 Vigorously Advancing Science, Technology, and Innovation | 259

 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA RATIONALE

Investments in STI based startups, enterprises, and spin-offs increased

Science for Change (S4C) Act This aims to expand various S&T programs of the DOST (e.g., R&D programs, technology
business incubation, foreign scholarships) and prescribes the R&D areas to be considered
under the S4C Program. The bill also seeks to require NGAs, LGUs, and SUCs to adopt
publicly-funded and generated technologies whenever feasible and practicable.

Creative capacity for knowledge and technology generation, acquisition, and adoption enhanced

Philippine Virology Science This will establish a research institute that will delve into the study of viruses. The country
and Technology Institute needs diagnostics to detect and limit the spread of existing viruses; vaccines to provide
long-term protection; treatments to save lives in the shorter term; and social science to
understand their behavioral and societal implications.

An Act Creating the Center This proposed legislation aims to establish a center that will be the principal agency
for Disease Control and tasked with developing and applying communicable disease control and prevention
Prevention, Providing initiatives. It will be responsible for controlling the introduction and spread of infectious
Mechanisms for Epidemic diseases.
Control, and for Other
Purposes

Comprehensive Philippine This proposed measure aims to legislate an independent regulatory framework that will
Atomic Regulation Act decide on issues affecting public health and safety, protection of the environment, and
nuclear security and safeguards, that is beyond the reach of entities with self-motivated
interests.

Strengthening the National This seeks to establish the National Metrology Institute under the DOST as well as
Measurement Infrastructure provide capacity building programs through competency training to strengthen the local
System (NMIS), Amending RA metrology authorities at the local level and foster a metrology culture that will instill a
9236 also known as the keen appreciation of the importance of metrology.
National Metrology Act of
2003

Provincial Science and This seeks to strengthen the existing Provincial Centers for Science and Technology
Technology Office Act (PSTC) under RA 6959 by converting them into an office so that the development and
transfer of technologies in the rural areas can be vigorously pursued and implemented.

eHealth System and Services This aims to establish, institutionalize, and regulate a coherent, coordinated, and
Act collaborative National eHealth System, guided by a national policy and strategic
framework.

Digital Philippines Act This aims to adopt a whole-of-government approach in promoting digital innovation and
transformation in business and government.

Philippine Defense Industry This intends to provide the required policy environment for the development of a national
Development Act defense industry through the strengthening and revitalizing of the self-reliant defense
posture program, incentivizing in-country enterprises, rationalizing defense acquisition,
and institutionalizing a functional office for defense technology research and industry
development under the Department of National Defense (DND).

260 | Updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022