ILIGAN CITY (PIA) — Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) underscored the importance of commercializing innovations to make them more affordable and accessible.
Speaking at a zonal conference at Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), Solidum said turning research into marketable products is key to job creation, economic growth, and achieving the goals of the Philippine Development Plan.
He emphasized that commercialization drives the expansion of businesses and ensures that technological advancements benefit the public.
(DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. introduces three key programs, Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals, Pagtanaw 2050, and Program PROPEL, during the zonal conference at MSU-IIT. Photo:ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
“Parating binabanggit ng ating pangulo sa mga exhibition nating ginagawa na kailangang ma-scale up ang ating innovation, at yan ay sa pamamagitan ng commercialization. Sa larangan ng innovation ng mga technology natin, syempre, ang gusto nating mangyari ay makinabang ang ating mga kababayan,” Solidum said.
(Our president consistently emphasizes in the exhibitions we hold that our innovations must be scaled up through commercialization. In the field of technological innovation, our goal is to ensure that our fellow Filipinos benefit from these advancements.)
Solidum also highlighted three DOSTprograms aimed at accelerating innovation commercialization: Program PROPEL, STI for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Pagtanaw 2050.
Program PROPEL bridges the gap between research and industry, helping Filipino innovations reach local and global markets. It promotes collaboration, entrepreneurship, and investment, positioning the Philippines as a global player in science and technology
“This program reimagines the role of the DOST, not merely as a funder of research and development but as a dynamic partner in translating ideas into impact,” Solidum said. “Through PROPEL, we will pool our resources and networks to ensure that Filipino science and technology innovations gain traction in global markets.”
He also discussed STI for SDGs, which uses science and technology to address key issues such as poverty, food security, and climate change. The program creates detailed plans and monitoring systems to ensure that solutions are sustainable and measurable.
Pagtanaw 2050, on the other hand, focuses on preparing future leaders and researchers to anticipate and address long-term challenges through strategic foresight and enabling data-driven decision-making.
Innovation and collaboration
DOST Assistant Secretary for Technology Transfer, Communications, and Commercialization Napoleon K. Juanillo Jr. underscored the importance of identifying market gaps and collaborating to address them through innovation.
“If we can cultivate together and collaborate together, we can make it prosper. PROPEL provides that platform. This is a comprehensive approach to make science, technology, and innovation inclusive and accessible for everyone and for the prosperity of all,” Juanillo said.
The event also highlighted the collaboration between DOST and MSU-IIT where over 70 percent of the university’s research and development funding comes from DOST.
MSU-IIT Chancellor Alizedney Ditucalan thanked DOST for supporting the university’s research ecosystem and advancing its technological innovations.
“Indispensable ang DOST in building the research ecosystem and enabling environment ng MSU-IIT. In fact, this year, we again received a sizable grant from DOST. Si MSU-IIT ay isa sa pinakalucky na universities dahil sa grants ng DOST,” he said.
(The DOST is indispensable in building the research ecosystem and enabling environment of MSU-IIT. In fact, this year, we again received a sizable grant from DOST. MSU-IIT is one of the luckiest universities because of the DOST grants.)
MSU-IIT also showcased its ‘InfraspeX’, a platform that utilizes drones and artificial intelligence (AI) for safer, faster, and more accurate bridge and road inspections, providing real-time data for better infrastructure maintenance. It was funded by the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development.
The conference included discussions on semiconductors and AI, both crucial for technological growth and innovation. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
