Prioritize developing a thriving national innovation system, Legarda tells gov't
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda on Wednesday, May 3 called on government leaders to lead in developing a comprehensive innovation system for the Philippines.
Legarda said Republic Act No. 11293, or the Philippine Innovation Act, which she principally authored and co-sponsored, already sets the starting point in recognizing innovation's role in governance.
The law, she said, already provides the necessary resources to support innovations “that will improve our daily lives.”
The senator pointed out innovation is more than just scientific inventions and should also be applied in all aspects of governance.
"Innovation is not intended only for inventors and those who pursued invention as a calling. This Act should spell a sea of change in how we do governance," Legarda said in her speech at the 2023 National Innovation Day with the theme “HABI: Huddle, Analyze, Build, Innovate” last April 28.
The lawmaker stressed that under the law, the State should make innovation a primary consideration in developing policies to support inventors and innovate in governance itself.
Legarda said strict implementation of this law is essential to achieve a truly functioning and thriving national innovation system.
"Through the Philippine Innovation Act, we hope to elicit invention in all layers of government, bring together the brightest and most innovative minds, and think elastically and out of the box; and in order to do so, we hope to provide an innovation ecosystem that facilitates and supports these risk-taking behaviors," said Legarda.
The law established the National Innovation Council (NIC), which is tasked to act in all levels and areas of education, training, research, and development towards promoting innovation and internationalization activities of MSMEs nationwide.
The law also includes a provision for the Innovation Fund to provide financial support for research and development initiatives, technology transfer, and other innovation-related activities.