V.

Goals For Philippine S&T

To realize the foregoing visions, the following goals shall be pursued in the short, medium and long-term:

By 2004:

 improved access to quality S&T services;

 higher productivity and competitiveness for selected Philippine products and industries;

 technology-based enterprises shall have emerged in the regions;

 availability, if not widespread use, of S&T-based solutions to pressing national problems; and

 enhanced S&T awareness and support among leaders and policy makers.

By 2010:

 world-class capabilities in ICT;

 technological leadership in ASEAN in the fields of biotechnology, materials science, and microelectronics;

 adequate number of quality scientists and engineers in the country;

 robust technology- and knowledge-based industry sectors and globally competitive products;

 quality S&T-oriented higher education sector;

 top performance in science and math;

 highly-developed culture of innovation and S&T consciousness;

 enhanced private sector participation in S&T and R&D activities; and

By 2020:

 world-class universities in S&T;

 a well-developed S&T-based SME sector;

 internationally recognized Filipino scientists and engineers; and

 the Philippines as a model in S&T management and governance.

National Science And Technology Plan 2002-2020

VII. Long-Term Area Thrusts
Based on the forecasts discussed earlier and consultations with S&T experts and various stakeholders, the following priority areas for S&T development
have been identified (the sectors are listed in no particular order): 1) agriculture, forestry and natural resources; 2) health/medical sciences; 3)
biotechnology; 4) information and communications technology; 5) microelectronics; 6) materials science and engineering; 7) earth and marine sciences;
8) fisheries and aquaculture; 9) environment; 10) natural disaster mitigation; 11) energy; and 12) manufacturing and process engineering.

These area thrusts shall serve as guide in the allocation of S&T resources and the provision of S & T assistance, whenever available.

1. Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources

The development of the NSTP has been a highly participatory process which took a year to finish since it was started in 2001. In coming up with the
NSTP's visions, goals, strategies and area thrusts, consultations involving S&T experts and opinion leaders and stakeholders from the private sector,
government, academe, and non-government organizations were held.

S&T interventions in agriculture and fisheries shall be undertaken in support of the country's Agricultural Modernization Program. The aim of S&T shall be
to increase agricultural productivity through the use of modern production technology.

By sector, the following are the priorities and directions for development:

a. Agriculture:

a.1 Crops - Hybridization, production management systems, integrated pest management, post production and primary processing systems, storage,
and quality improvement and standardization for priority horticultural crops such as fruits, ornamental and medicinal plants, industrial crops
(coconut and fiber crops), and vegetables. Crop varietal improvement, cultural management systems, IPM, post harvest handling, primary
processing, storage and product development for priority agronomic crops (rice, corn, sugarcane, rootcrops and field legumes).

a.2 Livestock - Genetic and feed improvement for ruminants; product standards for poultry; and production systems and animal health programs,
vaccine/diagnostics development for ruminants, poultry, and swine.

a.3 Resource Management - Sustainable agricultural production system (hydrophonics, precision agriculture (computer-based models and related
tools), peri-urban agriculture, organic agriculture); soil fertility management through the development, management and utilization of
organic/inorganic fertilizers and soil conditioners; agricultural machinery and structures (benchmark survey and information system, Philippine
standards for agricultural machinery and structures, irrigation and agricultural drainage system, production, postharvest/agricultural processing);
and soil and water resources management and conservation (management of marginal areas for sustainable food production, integrated water
resources management and utilization).

b. Forestry and Natural Resources:

b.1 Wood Production Forests - Forest biotechnology; natural resource development and management system technologies; plantation forest
development and management.

b.2 Protected Areas and Wildlife - Agro-forestry and natural resources management; biodiversity conservation and utilization; survey, inventory and
population census of species; and biopiracy.

b.3 Non-Wood or Non-Timber Plants/Products - Development of regeneration methods and production aspects including plantation development
technology for vines, orchids, resin and other forest plants; development of designs and products using other materials and species; and natural
dyes R&D.

b.4 Bamboo and Rattan - Survey and inventory, design and product development, and computerized database on production, harvesting, processing,
utilization and marketing, and policy development.
 b.5 Resources Valuation - Quantification and appropriate pricing of various natural
resources.

2. Health/Medical Sciences

The health/medical sciences is an important component of total human development and shall therefore be given priority attention under the Plan.
Fortunately, this is an area in which the Philippines has already made some headway.

Within the health/medical sciences sector, the priorities and directions for S&T development are: control of communicable diseases; early detection and
prevention of non-communicable diseases; accurate diagnosis of common tropical diseases; immuno-diagnostics and bio-sensors for priority diseases;
telemedicine and bioinformatics; development of biopharmaceutical products; production of drugs and recombinant vaccines using known and patent-
lapsed technologies; development of natural health/medicinal products; functional foods/nutraceuticals development and standardization; and vaccine
and antibiotics development for local needs.

3. Biotechnology

Among the new and emerging technologies/sectors, biotechnology holds perhaps the greatest potential for the Philippines. The country already has the
domestic expertise and capability in the form of a corps of highly-trained and experienced researchers in biotechnology (particularly agricultural
biotechnology), biology and chemistry. Moreover, unlike some of the other sectors or technologies, biotechnology is skill or knowledge- rather than
capital-intensive and is therefore relatively more affordable to a country like the Philippines.

The priorities for S&T development in this area are the applications of biotechnology in agriculture, forestry and natural resources, marine sciences,
fisheries and aquaculture, health/medical sciences, environment, energy and manufacturing and process engineering. Biotechnology applications in the
mentioned sectors are: For agriculture and fisheries - varietal improvement and sustainable production for food security; for forestry - maintenance and
maximization of forestry resources; for health/medical sciences - prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases; for marine sciences, fisheries and
aquaculture - development of resources for food security; for energy - development of renewable energy sources; for manufacturing and process
engineering - development of novel processes of manufacture using life forms as miniature factories to produce the desired products; and for
environment - bioremediation. The priority for biotechnology processes/technologies are: plant tissue culture; immuno-based diagnostics; protein and
DNA markers; microbial transformations; plant transformations; genome mapping; cloning single genes; and mammalian tissue culture.

4. Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

ICT is an area in which the Philippines already has built some competitive advantage or edge; its further development is one of the top priorities under
the MTPDP and the administration of President Macapagal-Arroyo.

The aim of S&T intervention is to further build the country's capabilities in ICT and make the country a world-class provider of ICT services and products.
The specific directions of ICT development under the Plan shall be in the following areas:
a. E-governance: through access to facilities and on-line information, frontline services, information sharing/networking, and data banking
b. Teleservices: through databases and decision support for urban/rural development.
c. Applications in health : tele-medicine, tele-radiology, virtual patient records, medical expert systems, ICT applications for the disabled and
the elderly.
d. Applications in education : intelligent tutoring systems, on-line training, digital satellite radio services, digital terrestial television.
e. Applications on the environment: geographic information systems, global positioning systems, remote sensing and telemetry.
f. Applications in agriculture: expert systems for specific crops, land information systems, and marketing information systems.
g. Applications in industry: e-commerce applications in sales and marketing, procurement, order management, and customer service and
support.
h. Embedded systems design

5. Microelectronics

The electronics and microelectronics sector has been, and remains, the top export earner of the country, accounting for almost 70 percent of total
Philippine exports in 2000. It is expected to continue to be a major export product and earner in the future because of the rapid pace of technological
development in the sector which continually brings out new products, the continued and increasing future demand for electronics products, and the
presence of some domestic capability in this sector.

The specific thrusts in microelectronics are: development of technology-based support industries; development of Application Specific Integrated Circuits
(ASICs); development of locally-designed electronic equipment or tools for designing ASICs; development of Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFIC)
as well as digital and mixed signals as design niches; development of a strong core of R&D engineers with strong capabilities in design and prototyping;
development of core technologies in microelectronics; and development of highly skilled human resources for the sector.

6. Materials Science and Engineering

Materials science and engineering is predicted to play a very important role in the country's industrial development. The increasing usage of materials
like metals, ceramics, and polymers and the development of advanced materials with tailored specific properties (electromagnetic, optical, thermal,
chemical, biological and mechanical) are predicted, the latter to be realized by 2010. Various design, synthesis and processing technologies in connection
with the production of these new materials are also predicted to be onstream by 2010. Other related developments in the future are micromachines and
nanotechnology.

For the plan period, the thrusts are: conducting polymers, plasma, crystal growth technologies, nanotechnology, superconducting ceramics, industrial
ceramics from local sources, novel construction materials, minerals engineering, materials processing from marine sources, and materials for energy
conservation.

7. Earth and Marine Sciences

Earth and marine sciences hold considerable potential for increasing the country's food supply, the development of alternative energy and materials, the
enhancement of marine biodiversity and the marine ecosystem in general, and for ecologically-sustainable development.

The specific thrusts are: for marine science: sustainable mariculture, marine ecosystem enhancement, marine bioindustries, oceanography,
marine/freshwater biodiversity, continental shelf studies (delineation and inventory of resources) and sea bed resources studies (fuels, metals and
minerals). For earth science, the thrusts are: mineral resources processing, groundwater studies, geophysical exploration, studies of geophysical sites for
local tourism development, and studies of coastal environments, geologic hazards and climate change.

8. Fisheries and Aquaculture

With vast areas of Philippine territorial waters consisting of offshore or oceanic waters, coastal waters and inland waters, capture fisheries present a
significant contribution to domestic food supply and exports as well as other potentials for development. The country's fisheries industry is vital for food
security economic growth and global competitiveness. The priority for fisheries is improved resource conservation and management for sustainability and
socio-economic development.

Aquaculture, on the other hand, has emerged as the fastest growing food producing sector in the world in the last three decades. In the Philippines,
aquaculture supplies more than one-third (35 percent) of the total fisheries production and is the only fisheries sub sector projected to post positive
growth in the next five years. It is expected to provide 42 percent of the total fish production in the Philippines by 2004. The identified R&D thrusts for
this sub sector are: genetic improvement of cultured stocks, biotechnology applications, sustainable production, fish health management, and
development of low fish meal- based feeds.

9. Environment

Environmental concerns such as soil degradation, depletion of resources, proper disposal and management of wastes, particularly hazardous wastes, and
air and water pollution need to be properly and promptly addressed. Some of these problems are nearing, if they have not already reached, critical
proportions.

The S&T priorities in this area are: recycling technologies; clean production technologies; integrated solid wastes disposal technologies; handling of
hazardous wastes; remediation and rehabilitation technologies for contaminated sites; water and waste water treatment technologies; wastes to energy
conversion technologies; monitoring and assessment technologies; spatial data acquisition and management technologies; approaches to the restoration
of environmental ecosystems; agricultural pollution mitigation; and agricultural waste management and utilization.

10. Natural Disaster Mitigation

The Philippines is prone to typhoons, storm surges, monsoon rains, floods, flash floods, droughts, earthquakes, liquefactions, lahars, soil erosions, and
possible dam failures. What makes the situation worse is that natural disasters are compounded by man-made disasters caused by the neglect of the
environment as well as ignorance of physical laws.

S&T offers options and opportunities to mitigate, if not prevent, natural and man-made disasters. Possible S&T interventions include R&D in early
warning systems, hazards assessment and mapping; risk and vulnerability assessment and mapping; promotion of hazard and mitigation awareness
through information/databanking, information packaging, and information dissemination; promulgation of policies and measures for disaster mitigation
such as land-use planning and zoning; and R&D on pilot testing of non-structural and structural mitigation measures.

11. Energy

There is a need to develop new and renewable energy resources to lessen the country's dependence on imported fossil fuel, which is the source of the
country's huge foreign debt and one of the causes of high and rising commodity prices. New and renewable energy resources, of course, also contribute
to solving global environmental problems such as global warming or climate change and the domestic problems of pollution and environmental
degradation.

The S&T priorities are geothermal energy, indigenous/alternative energy sources (solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and coco-based fuel, micro-hydro
and ocean), natural gas liquefaction technologies, production and utilization of alternative clean fuels/energy, energy conservation and promotion of
energy efficient technologies in the production sector, and the solution of environmental problems resulting from energy production.

12. Manufacturing and Process Engineering

The aim of S&T intervention in this area shall be to raise the level of productivity in the manufacturing and process engineering sector through
automation technologies and other modern techniques. If fully and widely utilized by industry, these technologies should make them more globally
competitive.

The thrusts for this sector are metalworking and metals processing and treatment, industrial electronics, microprocessor-based technologies,
mechatronics, sensors and transducers, automated production machines and computer-integrated manufacturing.

VIII. Programs For 2002-2004

This component of the NSTP spells out the strategic programs to be pursued during the short and the medium term (2002-2004). It includes a 3-year
program on R&D, three (3) major technology transfer programs, human resource development programs, and S&T promotion, information dissemination,
advocacy and linkages.

1. R&D Programs

The R&D programs aim to stimulate and support technological innovations which have
applications in agriculture, industry, health and medicine, and other priority areas.
Resources and activities shall be directed to maximizing S&T's contribution to the
creation of wealth, the solution of domestic needs and pressing problems, and the
support of creative R&D at the local level. Private-sector investment and participation in
R&D activities shall likewise be encouraged.

Specifically, R&D programs shall include the following:

a. R&D to Address Pressing National Problems

a.1 Energy, Water and Environment

R&D efforts shall be directed towards the development of new energy sources. Specifically, R&D activities shall include studies on the
utilization of low enthalpy natural gas for power and non-power applications; biomass energy from agricultural wastes from which fuels may
be produced; development of high-efficiency turbines for use in the development of micro-hydro projects in the country; and production and
utilization of alternative clean fuels/energy.

R&D efforts on water shall be directed towards water treatment technologies and groundwater studies.

R&D activities on the environment shall focus on finding solutions to the problems of solid wastes generated by the industrial and domestic
sectors, and shall include the implementation of cleaner production strategies. The objective is to develop processes and technologies to
reduce cleanup costs and risks to people, other living things, and the environment.

a.2 Shelter, Livelihood and Health and Nutrition:

R&D programs for housing and shelter shall aim to contribute to the provision of housing needs and to augment the efforts of the government
to cope with the growing housing backlog. R&D shall include the development and utilization of cost-efficient housing materials and
components.

For health and nutrition, R&D projects shall aim to address the basic health needs of the population. Activities shall include the development of
health products such as pharmaceutical drugs, vaccines, biologicals, nutraceuticals and functional foods, natural health products; diagnosis,
prevention and control of priority diseases; and generation of knowledge on priority diseases/health concerns such as communicable diseases,
non-communicable and lifestyle-related diseases or disorders, environmental and occupational health and nutritional disorders, maternal and
child health, and biomedical devices.

b. R&D to Improve Productivity in the Production

Sector:
 b.1 R&D to Support AFMA

R&D activities in this area shall support the Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization Act or AFMA. Emphasis shall be given to the development
of modern technologies and their application to the improvement of productivity, development of post-harvest technologies to minimize post-
harvest losses, and development and improvement of research laboratories and facilities in the agriculture sector. These include R&D to
develop high-value fruit crops, root crops, coconut, rice, corn, soybean, industrial crops and medicinal crops. Other R&D priority areas shall be
livestock, and forestry and natural resources; land rehabilitation and farming systems development in lahar areas; irrigation R&D; and water
resources management. For capture fisheries, priority shall be given to integrated R&D for coastal fisheries and coastal resources
management, and integrated R&D for offshore fisheries development. Linkages with international research institutions will be strengthened.

b.2 R&D to Address Industry Requirements

R&D requirements in industry shall focus on the identification and development of new products and processes that will find commercial
application and improve productivity. For the medium term in particular, R&D on industrial technology development shall include ethnic food
products, application of biotechnology in the production of food and food grade chemicals, coconut food diversification program, natural dyes
and fabrics, metals and engineering to fabricate local equipment for food processing, post harvest and packaging; furniture and ceramic
products.

c. R&D for New Technologies and Products Towards Global

Competitiveness:

c.1 Biotechnology

Biotechnology R&D shall be directed to enhancing biotechnology applications in food production, biotechnology applications in the production
of diagnostics, and biotechnology applications in industry and environmental management. Specific targets for this sector are the production
of high volume and high value products using lapsed or soon-to-lapse patents, and the conversion of biomass and wastes into energy.

c.2 Information and Communications Technology

R&D activities shall be focused on internet technologies and software engineering. More specifically, R&D activities on internet technologies
shall include security and authentication, e-commerce applications, on-line learning, web interfaces, convergence technologies and e-
publishing. R&D for software engineering shall include data warehousing, geographic information systems (GIS), multimedia applications,
decision support systems, digital libraries and high performance computing. The Virtual Center for Technology Innovation, one of the flagship
programs under the DMTP, shall continue to be supported under the ICT program.

d. R&D to Develop Competence in Pioneering or New Areas

d.1 Materials Science

R&D shall focus on engineering materials such as metals, polymers, composites and ceramics. The targets for this sector are the development
of advanced materials with tailored specific properties (electromagnetic, optical, thermal, chemical, biological and mechanical) and the
development of various designs, synthesis and processing technologies for the production of these new materials.

d.2 Microelectronics

The target is the development of semiconductor devices to upgrade the local electronics industry from an assembly-type industry to that of an
original design manufacturing (ODM) industry. R&D shall include the development of ASICs and of radio frequency microelectronics for
wireless technologies, digital and mixed signals as design niches, and the development of consumer products in niche markets.

2. Technology Transfer Program

Three major technology transfer programs are to be implemented in the short-term: a)

Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program or SET-UP; b) Technological
Innovation Commercialization Program or TECHNICOM; and c) Technology Support
Program for E-Governance or SUPRE-GOV.

a. Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP)

SET-UP is a nationwide program designed to upgrade productivity of SMEs through technology application/upgrading. Under this program,
technology upgrading assistance and services will be provided to agricultural, manufacturing and services enterprises in the regions/provinces in an
integrated manner.

SET-UP is an application of the niching and clustering strategies in the identification and selection of program beneficiaries. Sectors or clusters
already identified by government agencies such as DTI, DA or LGUs and that have significant potentials to benefit from technology will be given
priority. New areas with big potential to be developed as enterprise sectors, e.g., biotechnology, will be pioneered by DOST. In this activity, key
institutional partners in the regions will be identified; they will work closely with technology sector managers. Existing tie-ups for enterprise financing
will be strengthened or reactivated and new tie-ups will be initiated.

Under SET-UP, various types of S&T services/interventions such as technology selection, technology acquisition, technology training, process and
equipment design, packaging, productivity improvement, quality assurance, standardization, materials identification/selection, waste management,
product improvement, and IPR protection, will be made available to identified clusters or sectors.

b. Technological Innovation Commercialization Program (TECHNICOM)

TECHNICOM is designed to facilitate technological innovation enterprise spin-offs. Under this program, innovations or R&D results with high potential
for enterprise or product spin-offs shall be identified and selected. High technology applications with commercial potential shall be given priority.

Under TECHNICOM, tie-ups with universities for the incubation and commercialization of creative works or R&D outputs shall be established and
strengthened. This can include outputs of faculty/student projects in areas such as robotics, mechatronics, materials science, communications,
software development, GIS, biotechnology, and industrial design. Marketing links or strategic partnerships with the industry sector, with international
entities and with other government agencies will also be initiated. In all these, venture capital will play an important role.
 Complementing the program will be capability building support in high technology areas.

c. Technology Support Program for E-Governance (SUPRE-GOV)

SUPRE-GOV is designed to provide technology support to jumpstart E-governance. Its specific features are the involvement of concerned government
agencies led by the National Computer Center in national efforts to speed up the application of ICT in government processes and services; support
for the development of electronic products, which incorporate accompanying software; and the establishment and enhancement of the government
portal. Special attention shall be given to systems development and their utilization for priority local government applications and development,
organization and standardization of data bases. The establishment of linkages between the academe, the private sector, and government units for
collaborative undertaking towards the widespread use of ICT in governance shall also be given priority attention.

3. Human Resources Development Program

In the medium term, human resource development is aimed at building future S&T
capabilities through focused programs in basic and higher education.

Human resource development for S&T will give priority to the following:

a. Demand Oriented S&T Undergraduate Scholarships

Undergraduate scholarships shall be directed to fields where demand has been established or where capabilities for emerging S&T fields or
areas need to be built.

b. Excellence in S&T Higher Education to Stimulate High Technology Industries

Scholarships and research fellowships at the graduate level shall aim at the continuing build up of faculty capabilities in the higher education
sector.

Support shall be provided for the development of new graduate programs for strategic areas such as Microelectronics and Mechatronics.

c. Science and Mathematics Competitions Nationwide at the Basic Education Level

Countrywide competitions in science and mathematics will be undertaken to motivate students, teachers and schools and to promote a culture
of achievement. Prizes to schools shall be in the form of developmental grants intended to further enhance their capability levels.

4. S&T Promotion, Information Dissemination, Advocacy and Linkages

For 2002-2004 a vigorous S&T promotion and information dissemination campaign aimed at reaching the general public, policy-makers and decision
makers in government, the business/entrepreneurial sector, the S&T community (researchers, inventors, educators, extension workers and their support
personnel), and the youth, will be undertaken.

Policy advocacy will also be an important thrust, with the National Academt of Science and Technology (NAST), National Research Council of the
Philippines (NRCP), the R&D Councils and the R&D Institutes playing a more active role.

Linkages with other institutions and individuals will be actively sought and pursued, particularly with those that will enhance the accomplishment of the
targets in the various S&T programs, the development of capabilities to effectively carry out S&T activities, and the interaction between science and
society.