Major Development Programs in Science and Technology in the

Philippines

The strategy development was headed by the Philippine’s Department for Science and
Technology (DOST) and the committee developing the strategy was later re-organised into a
Filipinnovation Network. In the process, 10 sectors were defined as of priority and the
subsequent process came up with more than 100 priority initiatives, later reduced to 87 and
then to 28. However, these initiatives were never officially adopted and the necessary
supportive budget was cut, leaving the strategy and its network to play a smaller role than
initially envisaged. The strategy is relevant in the Philippine’s policy system, but needs
commitment and better integration into national policies.

To better focus STI programmes and other initiatives, DOST has launched an 8-point action
agenda (initially in 2006), much in line with Filipinnovation and LED

This includes:

1) Science-based know-how and tools that enable the agriculture sector to raise productivity to
world-class standards.

2) Innovative, cost-effective and appropriate technologies that enable MSMEs to develop and
produce competitive products that meet world-class standards.

3) State-of-the-art facilities and capabilities that enable local industries to move up the value
chain and attain global competitiveness.

4) Idea of the Philippines as a global leader in Information Technology - Business Process

Management Services generating direct employment of 1.3mio (520,000 of which in the
countryside).

5) ICT-based transformation of governance broadening access to government services (i.e.

health and education) for those in the countryside (to bring the Philippines in the top 50 global
ranking of e-government by 2016)

6) Improved quality healthcare and quality of life thru science, technology and innovation
7) Highly skilled and globally competitive S&T human resources in support of the national S&T
programs (Philippine Science High School/PSHS to be the leading science high school in ASEAN
by 2015 and every town to have at least one DOST scholar by 2016)

8) Science-based weather information and climate change scenarios with associated impact
assessments that enable concerned agencies to develop appropriate mitigation strategies for a
disaster and climate change resilient Philippines (please see more here).