Development Area

Investment in research and developmental activities must be large enough to suffice the
expenditure in conducting a research. Perhaps, research may generate a significant knowledge in
economic and social progress. Long term investment must be prioritized than short term
investment. Technology adoption allows country’s firm and citizen from innovations created in
other country. Though adoption, it improves our present technology and will increase the level of
productivity in given firms. Example, traditional machine works slower than high speed sewing
machine. With enough investment, if we replace our old sewing machines, the production of
factory will definitely increase.

Investment in Science, Technology and Innovations follows the development of all the
development areas in the Philippines for it includes innovation related fields. Given that they
generate significant knowledge that contribute in social and economic growth and other aspects
by doing research and developmental activities, therefore, their role should expand and allocated
investment funds should increase. Even university-generated research should have a place in our
industry for it may contain relevant information that can be use in future studies. Availability of
public knowledge about research results should practice by the government for public awareness.
As I mentioned, if there is enough fund for STI, other sectors will follow. Government must
secure an equal allocation of budget to ensure the growth of every area.

Conducting research and developmental activities requires manpower such as key

researchers, scientific, technological and engineering personnel, technicians and other support
personnel. As research plays a significant role in growth of the nation, the government must
ensure sufficient human resources in R&D. Due to low number of youths engaging in S&T,
DOST are now giving scholarships prioritizing students who are taking science and technology
related course. This is to increase the number of graduates in the field of S&T – low number of
researchers have a tendency to produce graduates outside STEM programs – discipline where
R&D flourishes.

On the contrary, an assessment of country’s innovation system revealed that the supply of
STEM graduates exceeds local demands. This means that there is out-migration and
underemployment of many skilled, locally trained scientist and engineers. Addition to this, it also
shows that there is a shortage in training fields of information technology. Due to lack of
opportunity, skilled workers are forced to seek job overseas where there is a better and advanced
opportunity meaning, we are losing our own skilled worker. This data seeks for urgency to
accelerate the development of R&D. Imagine all of our skilled and trained manpower are
working for the betterment of their own country, how much advancement it will produce?