DOST Sec Solidum champions science, technology, and innovation

by Kassandra A. Buenafe, OfCom | Mar 17 2025

During its Mindanao leg, the DOST-Technology Transfer, Communications, and Commercialization Zonal Conference, held at 缅北禁地-IIT in Iligan City on March 14, convened Mindanaoan innovators where they had the opportunity to listen to a keynote address delivered by DOST Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum, Jr.

In his keynote, he contended that investing in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) is essential as they are “the driving forces behind economic growth, societal advancement, and national resilience.” In the Philippine context, Solidum posited that leveraging STI is an urgent imperative as it serves as the initial step in “transforming industries, strengthening micro, small, and medium enterprises, improving public services, ensuring food and energy security, and enhancing climate resilience.”

Highlighting the four pillars of DOST: (1) promotion of human well-being, (2) fostering wealth creation, (3) reinforcing wealth protection, and (4) institutionalizing sustainability, Solidum reinforces the role of DOST in strengthening the country’s socio-economic growth and development. At present, DOST’s commitment has resulted in various programs, initiatives, and scholarships being implemented across different sectors.

According to Solidum, the three programs introduced in the conference—Science, Technology, and Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals (STI4SDGs), Pagtanaw 2050, and Program PROPEL–Accelerating Innovations in the Philippines, Propelling Innovations from the Philippines—marked a “significant milestone” for DOST.

The STI4SDGs initiative emphasizes the essential role of science and technology in solving national challenges by developing SDG-specific roadmaps that cover the entire innovation lifecycle while Pagtanaw 2050 is the first DOST-funded interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary foresight initiative in the country. According to Solidum, Pagtanaw 2050 aims to “institutionalize a future-ready mindset among leaders, policymakers, researchers, local executives, civil society groups, and industry stakeholders. It will equip them with the tools to anticipate, navigate, and shape the future of science, technology, and innovation.”

The Program PROPEL: Accelerating Innovations in the Philippines, Propelling Innovations from the Philippines serves as a springboard for Filipino innovators to put their technological inventions to both local and global markets.

“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. Through PROPEL, the DOST will pool its resources, expertise, and networks to ensure that Filipino science and technology-driven innovations gain traction in global markets, attract investments, and address global challenges,” the DOST Secretary said.

Solidum ended his speech by reiterating the sense of purpose and urgency in advancing PROPEL and urged everyone to collaborate in building a dynamic science, technology, and innovation ecosystem for the Philippines.

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