The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has unveiled a bold national strategy to position the Philippines as a global hub for credible technology, launching a new certification system under the banner “Proven in the Philippines. Trusted by the World.”
The initiative, called PHI-TEST (Philippine Higher Education Validation and Innovation Testbed), was announced by DOST Assistant Secretary Dr. Napoleon K. Juanillo Jr. during the culmination of Inno.Venta 2025 at Batangas State University.
PHI-TEST is a pioneering collaboration between DOST and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) that will create a nationwide testing and certification mechanism. Its goal is to ensure that Filipino innovations are scientifically sound, ethically verified, and credible enough to compete in international markets.
“If we can scientifically demonstrate… that tens of thousands of users or adopters have validated a technology, then we can confidently tell investors and regulators that it works. That’s credibility,” Juanillo said. He emphasized that a PHI-TEST certification would mean a product is not just “Made in the Philippines,” but “Proven in the Philippines.”
The program will leverage the extensive network of state universities and colleges (SUCs) across the country. DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. highlighted that SUCs will be vital partners in testing and validating technologies alongside developers, moving beyond their traditional roles to focus on commercialization.
Under PHI-TEST, technologies from universities and research institutes will undergo standardized validation processes aligned with global benchmarks like ISO, CE, JIS, and KS. This is expected to accelerate the adoption of Filipino technologies in sectors such as health, agriculture, and energy, generate significant commercial revenue, and improve the country’s standing in the Global Innovation Index.
The Inno.Venta 2025 event, held from October 23 to 25, served as a marketplace for scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors, reflecting DOST’s broader commitment to bridging the gap between research and real-world impact.#
