In an effort to drive the economic recovery of the country, the National Task Force Against COVID-19 Sub-Task Group on Economic Recovery held a virtual presser on 29 January 2021 to present several government initiatives by different agencies to play economic catch-up as the country suffered an all-time low economic growth rate brought about by the continuing economic strangle caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The virtual presser presented the economic recovery initiatives of the different agencies of government: Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Tourism, and Department of Agriculture.
The recovery plans were laid out primarily to boost the business sector, fuel up agricultural and industrial production, pump prime the tourism industry, sustain public infrastructure, all of which are expected to jumpstart the country’s efforts towards economic recovery. The presser also served as a venue for all efforts of government agencies to be harmonized by creating the catalyst that will change the economic landscape from uncertainty to better opportunities towards a new normal.
DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña rolls-out the Science Department’s economic recovery package that includes the following: boosting productivity of micro, small and medium enterprises; community empowerment; start-up support programs; industry competitiveness; strengthening academic research and development, and creating livelihood opportunities for returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW).
Dubbed as Revitalizing Businesses, Investments, Livelihoods, and Domestic Demand or ReBUILD PH!, DOST presented an array of programs that aim to assist various sectors from the growth of local businesses and start-ups to support for industries, OFWs, and communities using science, technology, and innovation.
According to de la Peña, the economy has to catch-up even amidst a global economic standstill. “We need to start catching-up, and catch-up fast so we are not to be left behind as our economy mostly consists of small to medium enterprises,” says de la Peña.
Among the DOST initiatives bannered by the science chief was the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program or SETUP.
SETUP is one of the flagship programs of DOST that provides financial and technical assistance to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through a package ranging from technology upgrading, training, consultancies, product improvement, and product testing, to marketing, among others.
To promote industry and academe partnerships for research and development (R&D), DOST created the Collaborative R&D to Leverage Philippines Economy or CRADLE Program. This unique program will strengthen the industry-academe collaboration in conducting R&D activities together with state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the regions to aid in increasing industry competitiveness.
On the other hand, the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology or CEST program aims to strengthen communities through the 5-entry points: health and nutrition, water and sanitation, livelihood and enterprise development, education and literacy, and disaster risk reduction and management.
Meanwhile, DOST also provides support to start-ups through the Technology Business Incubation (TBI) Program. It aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurship to the country’s start-up sector. Start-ups can also access the Start-up Research Grant Program that aims to provide funding opportunities that will enable early-stage technologies to penetrate the market through R&D activities.
Aside from this, returning OFWs and their families can also get support through the iFWD PH program that seeks to provide assistance and opportunities to establish technology-based enterprises in the country through training, technical consultancy, mentorship, and innovation fund assistance. With this program, the country’s OFWs need not go abroad anymore to provide for the future of their families.
Furthermore, to enhance the industry competitiveness in the country, DOST implements various support programs for different industries as provided by the following: DOST’s Research and Development Institutes that conduct R&D activities in textile, metals and engineering, industrial technology, forest products, food and nutrition, nuclear technology, and advanced science; the Packaging R&D Center, the one-stop-shop packaging development center for SMEs; the Electronics Product Development Center (EPDC) that provides prototyping, design, and fabrication of electronic products along with electronics testing and product safety; the Advanced Manufacturing Center (AmCen), which promotes R&D on 3D printing technology; the Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory (ADMATEL) that provides testing and analysis of local electronic products; the Food Innovation Centers (FICs) housed in different SUCs all, over the country to serve as the R&D hubs for food processing.
In addition to these, DOST maintains a network of laboratories called OneLab that ensure public access to testing and calibration services at competitive rates. Aside from that, the OneStore.PH provides digital marketing support to MSMEs under SETUP to reach their market through the use of the e-commerce platform. Finally, the One Expert initiative creates access to an interactive web-based expert pool that provides consultancy services to the business sector.
“I am confident that our business sector can bounce back even in these extraordinary times,” concludes de la Peña. “Because, I believe, we already have the means through science, technology and innovation, and the true Filipino spirit that goes with it.” (Joy M. Lazcano, DOST-STII/S&T Media Service)
