DOST chief vows to invest in R&D programs elevating national productivity, economic growth
By Sonny Daanoy
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) celebrated its 66th anniversary on Thursday, June 13, reaffirming its commitment to investing in research and programs that enhance the country's productivity and competitiveness in the global knowledge economy.
During the DOST's anniversary celebration, Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. highlighted the agency's achievements and plans in his speech.
"We will remain focused on driving the country's economic and social transformation by providing solutions so that we can develop a science, technology, and innovation-driven economy by continuously investing in programs and projects that can advance the country's productivity and competitiveness in the global knowledge economy," he said.
Solidum underscored the country's performance in the 2023 Global Innovation Index, ranking 56th among 132 economies.
He highlighted notable achievements in business sophistication (38th), knowledge and technology outputs (46th), and market sophistication (55th).
"Our good performance in innovation outputs compared to innovation inputs is reflective of our country's ability to translate our research and development investments into transformative innovations," he said.
However, Solidum stressed that additional interventions are necessary to improve the Philippines' ranking in human capital and research, where the current standings are 88th, infrastructure at 86th, and institutions at 79th place.
"We are also considered as one of the leading countries providing more outputs than inputs," he said.
The DOST marked its 66th year navigating the landscape of science and technology in the country.
In a social media post, it pledged to persistently embrace challenges and innovate solutions to drive economic and social transformation.
"I am delighted to be with you today to celebrate this very important milestone as one family and as one DOST," Solidum said.
"After 66 years, it is high time to reflect on how far science and technology has reached," he added.