As President of the Philippine Academy for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PHILAAST), our Adviser Boy de la Peña led two Roundtable discussions on advancing STI in the Philippines. Recall that he was a leading proponent of FILIPINNOVATION during his term as DOST Secretary in 2016-22. The discussions organized by the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UPCIDS) with Dr. Antoinette Raquiza centered on identifying policy issues and implementation efforts. The sessions were held on February 22 and 27 at the UP NEC AudioVisual Room.
The opening challenge was posed by UP President Angelo Jimenez, who cited that STI is a significant element to national progress and the country’s global competitiveness. Speakers included former DOST Secretaries Dr. Emil Javier and Dr. William Padolina, UPERDFI Adviser and DOE Usec Rowena Cristina Guevara, Philippines Innovation Council Members Dr. Giselle Concepcion (UP Professor Emeritus) Batangas State University President Dr. Tirso Ronquillo, and executives from DOST, IPOPHIL and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Members Bobby Batungbacal, Tito Aliga and Joey Ochave were among the reactors, providing ideas from the industry sector.
On the ground, Sec Boy, in his capacity as Chairman of the EntrePinoy Volunteers Foundation (EVFI), and assisted by EVFI volunteer UPERDFI member Nicky Villsenor, are leading the effort to drum up interest among start-ups in Region 12. They are helping the regional players there from the LGUs, academe and industry to organize their Start-up Ecosystem. They discussed details with UPSCALE on March 8.
