ANGARA OUTLINES 5-ENABLING CONDITIONS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

"A strong foundation on new science and technology will lead the Philippines to development. We need to improve our science and math education, invest in R&D, promote industry-academe linkage, transform ideas to high-value products and create an enabling policy environment."

Speaking at the 6th Jaime V. Ongpin lecture series, he stressed, "in a global economy where knowledge and innovation determine a country's future, we need to develop a culture of innovation as well as forge support for new S&T."

To do that, upgrading science and mathematics education in all levels is central to achieving ST development in the country. "We need serious reforms in science and mathematics education and this must take place at all levels of education."

The Senator, former UP President, emphasized that our grade school children should be able to posses much more scientific and mathematical literacy than what they have now. "They should be enthusiastic and excited about science and mathematics."

He added that improving the level of education directly affects the number of scientists and the capabilities of students who eventually become engineers, researchers and teachers.

Investment in education and R&D is another indispensable strategy. "Basic research, generation of new knowledge, and the creation of an educated workforce are essential to innovation and economic growth. Without sufficient investment in education, research and development, innovation is not possible."

The Senator who chaired the 1990 Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM) that created DepEd, CHED and TESDA, urged that there must be increases in public and private investments in R&D. This is only possible, Angara said, when government prioritizes innovations in science and technology and ensures that such innovations move from the laboratories to the marketplace.

"R&D agenda should focus on helping entrepreneurs utilize and apply technological changes so that even so-called "low tech" activities - like fishing and farming, for example - become more innovative and generate more domestic value added."

Angara cited the 22-hectare Diliman Science Complex and Technology Incubation Park at the UP Diliman campus for its role in serving as the national center for the generation and application of new knowledge. He urged that there must be public and private support for more regional S&T parks.

Promotion of industry-academe-government linkages is crucial to ST development. " There is a need to strategically engage foreign and local business enterprises and draw in their capacity to finance R&D investments."

He pointed out that foreign companies such as Intel, Nokia and Microsoft and local ones like Unilab, JG Summit and San Miguel Corporation are capable of supporting R&D centers, equipping laboratories and must therefore become active stakeholders in the overall national S&T effort.

He further called on support for SMEs, representing 90 percent of all businesses registered in the country, and tapping the role of private sector especially OFWs involved in technology transfer.

Transforming innovative ideas to high-value products and services is another keystone in intensifying ST efforts in the country.

At present, the country is only making applications for SMS in cellular networks instead of developing high-value tools such as communications techniques for mobile phones, embedded hardware and processors for network switches.

"If we are able to develop hardware chipsets and associated software that Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and other technological giants would license from us, we would see our products in every mobile phone and base station that these giants sell and deploy worldwide," the Senator pointed out.

Creating an enabling environment through public policy is core to developing ST. "Public policy must foster an ecosystem that would make our S&T system thrive. STI must be integrated in policies on education, agriculture, health, environment, public works, and trade and industry."

Congress recently created the Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE) that is mandated to look into the country's science, engineering and technology development.

"COMSTE intends to respond to our waning competitiveness and build public support for making the wealth-generating fields of science, technology, engineering a national priority. In the process, COMSTE hopes to revitalize an S&T ecosystem that will generate knowledge and innovation."

These five points presented by Senator Angara hopes to develop a culture of innovation that supports new S&T in the country.

Angara is a former President of the University of the Philippines (UP) and, as a Senator, authored many of the country's education reform laws including the Free High School Act, CHED, TESDA, GASTPE.