NEDA unveils ‘Filipinnovation’ mindset on Innovation Day

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

On the occasion of the 2024 National Innovation Day, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) called for the cultivation of a ‘Filipinnovation’ mindset, a creative conceptual framework pivotal to national development and progress.

The event, held at Novotel Manila Araneta City, was marked by the presence of NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, who serves as the vice chairperson of the National Innovation Council (NIC).

Unveiling the new mindset, Secretary Balisacan said, “In today’s digital age, ‘unboxing’ is a phenomenon we are all familiar with. Yet, we’re adopting this concept in a transformative way—we are unboxing Filipinnovation.” The NIC, as the country’s supreme body for steering innovation policy, endorsed this fresh perspective at the April 22 celebration.

Themed “Unboxing the Filipinnovation Mindset,” the celebration emphasized foundational values such as empathy (malasakit), critical thinking (pagiging mapanuri), creativity (pagiging malikhain), imagination (maharaya), and a spirit of collaboration (diwa ng bayanihan).

Building on the previous year’s success, the 2024 event spotlighted the Huddle, Analyze, Build, and Innovate (HABI) Design Thinking workshop, inviting student teams from across 14 regions to propose inventive solutions for sectors pinpointed in the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document 2023-2032. These young innovators were provided a platform to present their ideas through engaging video pitches, embodying the Filipinnovation ethos.

Joining the festivities were members of the NIC, diplomatic corps, development partners, the business community, and the academic world, all united in nurturing a fertile environment for innovation.

In a rousing video message, NIC Chairperson and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. rallied support for innovation-centric programs, asserting, “Together, we will champion the Filipinnovation mindset to foster a culture of excellence, ingenuity, and creativity for the advancement of our nation.”

The Philippines’ innovation standing has seen a notable rise, climbing to 56th among 132 economies in the 2023 Global Innovation Index. This ascension surpasses the annual goal set in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, propelling the country toward its ambitious 43rd rank target by 2028.

National Innovation Day, enshrined under Republic Act No. 11293 or the Philippine Innovation Act, is a testament to the nation’s commitment to fostering public awareness and support for innovation on April 21 each year. This special working public holiday is a cornerstone in the Philippines’ journey towards becoming an innovation-led economy.