President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (Photo from RTV Malacañang)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday vowed to boost the budget for the country’s research and development sector to advance innovation.
Marcos unveiled the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document, which maps out the Philippines’ innovation plan from 2023 to 2032.
Marcos said the current education curriculum must be reformed to hone Filipinos’ creativity, curiosity, problem-solving skills, and entrepreneurial abilities.
On top of research and development, Marcos also vowed other measures for innovation as well.
“We shall bolster spending for research and development; support local enterprises; ensure food security through smart agricultural inputs to empower local producers; facilitate efficient and secure financial services; accelerate digitalization efforts to boost manufacturing processes and commercialization of products and services; improve mobility through better urban-rural linkages, and reduce carbon footprints of our transport systems,” Marcos said in his speech.
State universities and colleges (SUCs), including technological ones, fhowever, ace the threat of a P6.15 billion budget cut under the current administration.