NIC approves roadmap towards a smart, innovative Philippines

The National Innovation Council (NIC), chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., has approved the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document (NIASD) 2023-2032. This document outlines the country’s plan to improve innovation governance and establish a dynamic innovation ecosystem.

During the 5th NIC meeting, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary for Policy and Planning, Rosemarie G. Edillon presented the rationale and features of the NIASD.

“The future, even the near future, is expected to be volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. Developing a dynamic innovation ecosystem is critical to achieving our AmBisyon Natin 2040 of a matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay for all Filipinos,” said Edillon.

She emphasized that a dynamic innovation ecosystem facilitates the creation and translation of knowledge and ideas into high-quality and competitive products and services to promote economic growth, wellbeing, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. However, the government needs to steer the process to avoid the undesirable outcomes—or the “unwanted futures”—of constant distress and disasters (Masakuna), greater inequalities (Langit-Lupa), and sluggish progress (Mabagal).

The NIASD characterizes a dynamic innovation ecosystem as one that fosters a pervasive culture of innovation driven by market demands. It facilitates collaboration through active, reliable, and useful platforms, and provides innovation actors with the necessary facilities and resources to transform their ideas into innovative products and services. Further, it connects the innovator-entrepreneur to potential investors and funders.

NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, the vice-chair of the NIC, added that establishing a dynamic innovation ecosystem is one of the six cross-cutting strategies in the transformation agenda identified in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 to achieve a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient society.

“Chapter 8 of the PDP elaborates on this strategy by situating it within the continuum of research and development, innovation, technology adoption, then commercialization” stated Balisacan.

The NIC is a 25-member policy advisory body that comprises 16 Department Secretaries and seven Executive Members from the private sector.

The Executive Members’ Oath-Taking ceremony also took place shortly before the 5th NIC meeting. During this ceremony, the new NIC members, Ria Liza C. Canlas, Mark Sultan D. Gersava, Monchito B. Ibrahim, and Earl Martin S. Valencia, swore their oaths of service.