THE PHILIPPINE
GOVERNMENT SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY AGENDA
Ancheta, Ayson, Azurin, Briones, Cardenas, Raciles, Rafanan
This agenda is not just about keeping pace with
global trends; it is a strategic blueprint for
enhancing the country’s competitiveness,
improving public services, and uplifting the quality
of life for all Filipinos. Through focused
investments in research and development (R&D),
education, infrastructure, and international
collaboration, the government seeks to create an
environment where scientific and technological
innovations can thrive. This initiative is central to
achieving the long-term goals of economic
stability, social progress, and environmental
sustainability in the Philippines.
DEPARTMENT OF
SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
(DOST)
is a government agency tasked with overseeing and
managing national technology development and
acquisition, undertaking technological and scientific
research and promoting public consciousness of
science and technology.
undertakes policy research, technology assessment,
feasibility and technical studies and maintains a
DOST
national information system and databank on
science and technology.
HARMONIZED
NATIONAL
RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
AGENDA
Agenda prepared by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in
collaboration with the government and other private agencies and
institutions toward the realization of the social and economic benefits of
Science and Technology.
The agenda of HNRDA is in line with AMBISYON NATIN 2040: “Matatag,
Maginhawa, at Panatag na buhay para sa lahat.” It has 3 pillars:
1) MALASAKIT (enhancing the social fabric) - greater trust in public institution,
people centered, clean and effecient
2) PAGBABAGO (reducing inequality) - increase economic opportunities from
domestic to international market and will give attention to disadvantage
subsectors.
3) KAUNLARAN (increasing potential growth) - adapt modern technologies for
production. Intervention in population number.
NATIONAL
INTEGRATED BASIC
RESEARCH AGENDA
(NIBRA)
Focus on the basic principles of research to support the
Philippine Development Plan, the National Security Plan, and
the Science for Change program by DOST.
The National Resarch Council of the Philippines (NRCP) is
composed of thousands of researchers and scientists who
promote and support basic research.
SCIENTIST AS
ADVOCATES
Filipino scientists are dedicated
researchers and innovators who
contribute significantly to the fields
of agriculture, medicine,
environmental science, engineering,
and more. They are known for their
resourcefulness, often developing
practical solutions tailored to the
needs of the Philippines, such as
improving food production, public
health, and disaster resilience.
THE PHILIPPINE
GOVERNMENT
SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
AGENDA
Scientists and technologists are the backbone of an
industrialized nation that properls socioeconomic gain and
national progress. They are the key players and lifeblood of
research and innovation and plays an important role in the
industry and manufacturing sector. As such, it can be said that
scientists and technologists are essential players in nation
building.
In 2017, DOST launched the Science for the People thru
Administrative Order No. 003 s. 2017. This is in response to the
government’s call to address inequity in developments within
and among countries and is aligned with the national goals and
plans.
It aims to make science and technology more relevant to the
conditions, needs and opportunities for contributing to regional
development while keeping abreast with the trends and
development in the country and in the world.
Likewise, the program intends to maximize the use of science,
enhance innovation and the creative capacity of the Filipinos
towards the achievement of inclusive and sustainable growth.
Stipulated in the strategic plan are the seven outcomes that the
agency strives to achieve. These are as follows:
1) Innovation and stimulus
2) Technology and adoption promoted and accelerated
3) Critical mass of globally competitive STI human resources
developed
4) Productivity and efficiency of communities and the production
sector, particularly MSMEs improved
5) Resiliency to disaster risks and climate change ensured
6) Inequality in STI capacities and opportunities reduced
7) Effective STI governance achieved
The strategies to attain these outcomes are embodied in the DOST
Eleven Point Agenda as follows:
1) Pursue R&D to address pressing national problems.
2) Conduct R&D to enhance productivity and improve management
of resources.
3) Engage in R&D to generate and apply new knowledge and
technologies across sectors.
4) Strengthen and utilize regional R&D capabilities.
5) Maximize utilization of R&D results through technology transfer
and commercialization.
6) Develop STI human resources and build a strong STI culture.
7) Upgrade STI facilities and capacities to advance R&D activities
and expand S&T services.
8) Expand STI assistance to communities and the production
secotr, particularly MSMEs.
9) Provide STI-based solutions for disaster risks and climate
change adaptation and mitigation.
10) Strengthen industry-academe-government and international
STI collaboration.
11) Enhance effectiveness of STI governance.
Agenda 1. Pursue R&D to address pressing national problems.
highlights the advancements in research and development
geared towards the shared goal of improved nutrition and health
for all.
focused on health technology development, drug discovery and
development remains to be the high-impact and big ticket
program supported by the Department in the are of health.
Central to this R&D program is the study of endemic resources,
partnered with documentation of traditional knowledge and
practices in health, that could eventually lead to decreased cost
of medicines and health intervention for diseases that affect the
quality of lives of many Filipinos.
Agenda 2. Conduct R&D to enhance productivity and improve
management of resources.
presents how R&D can be utilized to make key traditional
industries steadfast and competitive through technological
innovations that can address gaps in productivity and increase
production yield.
Enhancing the capacity of marginalized sub-sectors and people
groups to use better and new technologies can expand their
access to participate in economic activities and progrss.
The primarily industries that will benefit from the featured major
R&D programs include the agriculture, specifically coconut and
rice production, non-wood forest profucts, i.e., bamboo
processing and utilization, and natural textile among others.
Agenda 3. Engage in R&D to generate and apply new
knowledge and technologies across sectors.
engages R&D in emerging scientific and technological platforms
which lay the inroads to the development of new products,
services, and industries.
Promising new technologies may potentially disrupt and change
the things are done.
Recognizing this, the Department anticipates impact of new
technologies in exisiting industries in the country by supporting
local capability programs in the areas of artificial intelligence for
new indsutry deelopment and supporting research in
nanotechnology for new materials development.
Agenda 4. Strengthen and utilize regional R&D capabilities.
focuses in strengthening institutional capacity to undertake
research and development and contribute to rgional
development.
Utilizing local researchers equalize opportunities in generating
new knowledge and technologies suited for the specific needs of
the region.
The Department partners with Higher Education Institutions in the
regions in establishing niche R&D centers which may also serves
as hubs for developing R&D capability of adjacent localities.
Agenda 5. Maximize utilization of R&D results through
technology transfer and commercialization.
includes mechanisms to encourage technology transfer and
avenues where R&D results are promoted in the bid to maximize
its utilization.
The Department provided support in bringing R&D results to its
final stage of development up to commercialization.
Agenda 6. Develop STI human resources and build a strong
STI culture.
aims to build cticial mass of competitive researchers, scientists,
and engineers (RSEs) and promoting a culture of STI.
Towards this goal, the Department continues to provide
scholarship programs to scale up the number of RSEs.
Agenda 7. Upgrade STI facilities and capacities to advance
R&D activities and expand S&T services.
features various S&T facilities that offer technical services for
carrying out research and development, as well as addressing the
needs of the industry in terms of quality assurance, adherenece
to standards, product development, and innovation.
The electronics, semi-conductor, automotive parts, gear
assembly manufacturing, agriculture produce, and food
manufacturing industries can benefit from the various S&T
facilities and technical services.
Agenda 8. Expand STI assistance to communities and the
production secotr, particularly MSMEs.
focuses on S&T assistance provided to upgrade the technological
capabilities and improve the productivity and effeciency of Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The Department has continued to provide technological
interventions such as process and system improvement, technical
consultancy, packaging and labelling, training, testing and
calibration, and product development to empower MSMEs to
innovate, move up the technology scale and become more
competitive.
Agenda 9. Provide STI-based solutions for disaster risks and
climate change adaptation and mitigation.
highlights the role of the Department in building a disaster-
resilient community through the provision of accurate and timely
information.
Specifically, progress was made by establishing and upgrading
observation and monitoring systems, efforts in hazard and risk
assessment, and researches for disaster risk management, as
well as climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Agenda 10. Strengthen industry-academe-government and
international STI collaboration.
focuses on the linkages and networks being pursued by the
Department in terms of S&T collaboration.
In 2017, the Department took part in 24 bilateral engagements
and participated in a number of activities which involved 14
international organizations.
Agenda 11. Enhance effectiveness of STI governance.
provides the policy framework that governs the implementation
of the programs, projects and activites of the Department in
contribution to national development and progress.
Taking off from the National 0+10 Socioeconomic Agenda and
Philippine Development Plan, the Department crafted the Science
for the People 11-point Agenda, Harmonized R&D Agenda, and
Regional Offices Strategy Map.
EXAMPLE OF RECENT INNOVATIONS
The Saltwater Lamp, developed
by Filipino engineer Aisa Mijeno,
is a sustainable and eco-friendly
lighting solution designed for
communities without access to
electricity. It operates using a
simple combination of saltwater
and electrodes, providing light
for up to eight hours. SALTWATER LAMP
EXAMPLE OF RECENT INNOVATIONS
The Salamander Amphibious
Tricycle, developed by H2O
Technologies, is a unique vehicle
designed to operate on both land
and water. This hybrid tricycle
addresses the frequent flooding
in the Philippines, offering a
versatile mode of transportation
that can navigate through both Salamander
roads and flooded areas. Amphibious Tricycle
EXAMPLE OF RECENT INNOVATIONS
The Diwata-1 Microsatellite is the
first Filipino-made satellite,
developed through a collaboration
between Filipino scientists and
engineers and Japan’s Tohoku and
Hokkaido Universities. Launched in
2016, Diwata-1 is a microsatellite
designed for Earth observation,
focusing on environmental Diwata-1
monitoring, disaster risk Microsatellite
management, and agricultural
productivity.
TWO MAJOR
APPROACHES
1) Stronger Research and Development in the regions, not just
Manila
Expand research and development initiatives by providing more
grant support for R and D through the DOSTs sectoral planning
councils such as PCIERD, PCAARD and ASTI in cooperation with
universities in the regions.
The science initiative must be distributed to the regions especially
those where food production needs to be improved, industry needs
to grow and where innovation needs to be developed. This is critical
in light of climate change and expensive electricity and the need to
disperse industry and economic activities.
2) Strategic projects in Five Areas:
a. Renewable energy
we need new technologies to enable high electricity yields in limited
space with less dependence on natural resources to enable us to
meet our COP 21 commitments, while lowering the price of
electricity.
b. Science and Technology for Industry Development
we need stronger participation of our scientists and engineers if we
want to revitalize our basic industries such as the steel industry.
ENABLING
MECHANISMS AND
SPECIFICS
more Research grants through the DOST and its sectoral planning
councils and institutes.
strengthen the Balik Scientist Program and retention program for
current young scientists- our young scientists must be engaged
through actual research projects. Many of our scientists and
engineers are OFWs who support our candidacy. We need their help
to uplift our country’s technology and we hope they come back.
Science and Technology cooperation within ASEAN- especially on
the space program and climate change adaptation.
Cooperation between industry and the science community by
involving them in the sectoral planning councils. DOSTs programs
for SMEs (Such as SET-UP) needs to be replicated further.
THANK YOU
VERY MUCH!
