SCIENCE, technology and innovation (STI) will help boost economic growth and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said.
DEPDev said Secretary Arsenio Balisacan highlighted the role of STI in the country’s development during his speech at the 48th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) on July 8.
Balisacan cited the need to strengthen the link between STI and policymaking to address the country’s development challenges.
“Science is not separate from development. Innovation is not an optional complement to policy. Rather, they are increasingly becoming the principal means through which countries solve complex development problems, strengthen resilience, and sustain long-term prosperity,” he said.
While the Philippines has made significant gains in recent years, Balisacan said economic growth alone will not be enough to achieve the country’s development aspirations and commitments under the SDGs, the global development agenda adopted by United Nations member states in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that everyone enjoys peace and prosperity for all by 2030.
“Achieving the SDGs requires a broader development strategy—one grounded in sound public policy, capable institutions, and strong partnerships among government, the private sector, the academe, and civil society. Most importantly, it requires science, technology, and innovation—not as ends in themselves, but as the means by which we translate sound policy into higher productivity, stronger institutions, greater opportunities, and better lives for our people,” Balisacan said.
Balisacan said institutions such as NAST will play a crucial role in ensuring that policymaking is informed by science, and that research and innovation should be directed toward solving real-world problems faced by communities.
He assured that DEPDev is committed to advocate for stronger innovation ecosystems, increasing investments in research and development, supporting scientists and researchers and promoting sustainable and resource-efficient innovations.
“As we look toward 2030 and beyond, our challenge is therefore not simply to generate more knowledge. It is to ensure that knowledge is translated more quickly into practical solutions, productive enterprises, effective public policies, and better lives for every Filipino,” Balisacan said. (PNA)
