To bring Philippine technologies closer to global markets, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) prepared a portfolio of innovations for industry evaluation and potential commercialization.

This was highlighted during the DOST–CHED Innovation Summit 2026, held on September 28 and hosted by Batangas State University—The National Engineering University (BatStateU) in Batangas City.

Led by the office of DOST Assistant Secretary for Technology Transfer, Communications, and Commercialization Napoleon K. Juanillo Jr., the Innovation Summit served as a national portfolio-building process for homegrown technologies and the Philippine pathway to the 2027 World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland.

“This Summit is part of the joint effort to finally connect the dots. Market-driven research and product development will be nurtured through the planned Synchronized Innovation and Business-Oriented Launchpads (SIBOL) in the regions, so that promising technologies are grown close to where our researchers, farmers, and entrepreneurs already work — not confined to a handful of laboratories in the capital,” Dr. Juanillo said.

He added that, from there, these technologies will then pass through the Philippine Technology Evaluation and Standards for Testing or PHITEST, which benchmarks Filipino-made innovations against the same testing, evaluation, and certification standards the rest of the world already trusts.

The initiative complements DOST's broader efforts to strengthen the country's innovation infrastructure and supports CHED's mandate to harness the research and innovation capabilities of higher education institutions.

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. emphasized that the impact of science and technology should be viewed beyond individual discoveries and measured through the capabilities and opportunities that these investments create for society.

“We have spent many years asking how much we invest in science. [But] We should also ask what capabilities that investment has created. We have asked how many researchers we have. We should also ask what those researchers are capable of doing together. And perhaps most importantly, we should stop thinking of our scientific and technological capabilities as isolated achievements,” Solidum said.

Echoing the importance of translating research into tangible value, CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis framed her message around “ACHIEVE: From Knowledge to Possibility,” highlighting the return on public investments in university research and development. Her message underscored the role of higher education institutions in turning knowledge and research into possibilities that can respond to pressing national challenges and contribute to broader development.

Agrupis also called on innovators across the country to work closely with the government in addressing contemporary challenges, emphasizing the need to connect the country's research and innovation capabilities with the needs of communities and society.

The Summit also marked the inception of InnoVenta Davos, an initiative that seeks to strengthen the country's participation in global innovation and economic discussions and create opportunities to bring Philippine science, technology, and innovation into international platforms.

Through this initiative, the Philippines seeks to move beyond simply participating in global forums toward presenting its capabilities, forging strategic partnerships, and creating pathways for Philippine innovation to contribute to the global economy.

The initiative forms part of the country's preparations toward the 2027 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, providing a platform to further connect Philippine institutions and innovators with international partners and opportunities.

For CHED, the initiative also reinforces the important role of state universities and colleges (SUCs) and higher education institutions (HEIs) in generating knowledge, developing capabilities, and contributing to national development.

The Innovation Summit reflects the shared commitment of DOST and CHED to build a more connected and globally engaged Philippine innovation ecosystem—one that links education, research, industry, government, and international partners toward sustainable economic growth and inclusive development.

The Innovation Summit 2026 marked the inception of ‘InnoVenta Davos’. Through this, Solidum said the Philippine delegation is moving away from merely being observers and consumers of foreign ideas to positioning Philippine innovation as essential, climate-resilient capital for the global economy.

High-level officials from the DOST, CHED and the Batangas State University gather to evaluate Philippine Technologies’ market readiness and scalability during the 2026 Innovation Summit on September 28, 2026, held at Batangas State University, Batangas City.

DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. warmly welcomes officials, government, industry, capital, and international partners who participated in the 2026 Innovation Summit .

The 2026 Innovation Summit is one of the initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions and Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph. (By Claire Bernadette A. Mondares, DOST-STII and photos by Patrick James Lee S. Alfonso, DOST-STII)