PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP APPROACH
KEY TO S&T DEVELOPMENT--ANGARA

Senator Edgardo J. Angara called for stronger and more dynamic industry led partnerships to accelerate innovation in the fields of Science and Technology (S&T) and Research and development (R&D).

According to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the government is aiming for up to P200 billion worth of PPP projects in 2011 and that many local and foreign businessmen have expressed interest in getting involved. Angara noted that aside from building up physical infrastructure projects, we also need to cultivate a strong R&D and S&T base for the country.

"With PPP's, our industry leaders can create new funding avenues for projects by partnering with the academe and tapping universities to conduct R&D and train personnel to fit into the workforce seamlessly," said Angara.

Angara, chair of the Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), also pointed out two projects that would greatly benefit from PPP's, namely the Industrial Research and Development Institute (IRDI) and the Renewable Energy Research and Development Institute (RERDI) that have been initiated by COMSTE.

"These two projects were conceptualized after studying Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), which is essentially a PPP that conducts R&D for private sector growth. ITRI is one of the key factors why Taiwan was able to achieve economic success," noted Angara.

Taiwan's ITRI has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with COMSTE in February 2009, to aid in the development of the IRDI and RERDI, including training and tech transfer.

Angara said, "by pushing forward with these type of programs we would be able to take the initiative in promoting the growth of R&D and S&T, which would enable us to leapfrog technology and create a better system of innovation."