SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has showcased before the international community the countryâs progress in the areas of science, technology and innovation under the leadership of President Ferdinand âBongbongâ R. Marcos Jr.
Speaking at the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday (Switzerland time), the leader of the 300-plus members House of Representatives said the President and Congress have been taking steps to promote science, technology and innovation to sustain the nationâs development.
In line with the legislative priorities of the President, Speaker Romualdez said the National Innovation Council was created âto ensure that innovation is embedded as a key priority in our country’s pathway to socio-economic development.â
He said the council, chaired by the President, administers a 10-year policy vision, goals, and strategies, collectively referred to as the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document.
The document contains the Philippinesâ vision and long-term goals for innovation and a road map of the strategies for improving innovation governance, deepening and accelerating innovation efforts, and integrating and fostering public-private partnerships, mindful of the policy of “leaving no Filipino behind,â he said.
The House leader, who heads the Philippine delegation to the IPU Assembly, informed his fellow lawmakers and parliamentarians from all over the world that the Philippine Congress, in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, has enacted several measures to improve innovation governance in the country.
He specifically mentioned three laws: Republic Act 11293, also known as the âPhilippine Innovation Act;â Republic Act 11927 or the âPhilippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act;â and Republic Act 10055 or the âTechnology Transfer Act of 2009.â
Speaker Romualdez said the initiatives taken by the President and measures enacted by Congress have âborne dividends for our country.â
He said in the 2024 Global Innovation Index of the World Property Organization, which measures the innovation-based performance of 130-plus economies, the Philippines rose in the ranking from 59th in 2023 to 56th place this year.
In the same report, the Philippines was recognized as one of the decade’s top innovation performers, having achieved its highest rank at 50th place in 2020 during the global pandemic, he said.
The Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act aims to address gaps in digital technology and skills by providing programs that equip Filipinos with the necessary competencies for the global labor market.
The law ensures support for the digital workforce through co-working facilities and loans with concessional terms. It also allows for public-private partnerships to plan and implement training, skills development and certification programs for digital careers.
The Technology Transfer Act seeks to promote and facilitate the transfer and commercialization of intellectual property, technology and knowledge resulting from research and development programs funded by the government for the benefit of the Philippine economy.
Under the 2023-2028 Philippine Development Plan, the government has emphasized the importance of innovation in achieving deep socioeconomic transformation.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) launched PAGTANAW 2050, the first DOST-funded inter-disciplinal and trans-disciplinal project on a Philippine-focused Science Technology Innovation Foresight and Strategic Plan.
The plan is a compendium of science, technology and innovation mega trends, global and national societal goals, trans-disciplinary operation areas, and current and emerging technologies relevant to the nation’s development that is firmly grounded in the aspirations of Filipinos.
âWith all these legislation, policies and programs, in terms of innovation governance, the Philippinesâ Global Innovation Index has been increasing over the last decade. In fact, the Philippines is recognized as one of the middle-income economies with the fastest innovation catch up,â Speaker Romualdez told his IPU audience.
He emphasized the importance of science, technology and innovation in addressing development issues faced by many nations today.
âThe complementary, interdependent nature of these three different concepts means that they must be considered as one: together. Science, technology and innovation serve as our guiding lights of hope,â he said.
âThey are our tools in addressing some of the most pressing issues we have today. They support us in achieving our sustainable development goals and in shaping future peace. They hold vast potentials to form and drive global solutions to the world’s problems,â he said.
They are also âkey drivers that enable and accelerate the global transformation towards prosperous, inclusive and environmentally sustainable economies in developing and developed countries alike. They are the pillars of sustainable development,â the House leader added.
âThey have the strong potential to contribute to the achievement of almost all the sustainable development goals. They are the heart of international cooperation and global partnerships for development,â he stressed.
The Speaker called for global cooperation to attain the worldâs common goals.
âAs we continue to work for our respective nationsâ sustainable development ambitions, we need as well to work hand in hand to achieve our common global goals. Let me then urge each one of us to foster collaboration, equity and responsibility. It is through this collaboration that we can harness the technological tools to be able to build a future not only more sustainable but more peaceful,â he said.
He urged his colleagues to âtake advantage of this potential of science technology and innovation and utilize them fully and responsibly to be able to address the challenges in these modern times.â
âLet us ensure that innovations and technological advancements are accessible to all. Let us unite together and continue to cooperate for the betterment of the world we live in,â he said.
The five-day IPU conference focuses on the theme, âHarnessing Science, Technology and Innovation for a More Peaceful and Sustainable Future.â
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