The top local scientists and researchers gathered together at the start of the 8th National Research and Development Conference (NRDC) on July 23, 2025 at the Manila Hotel to showcase once again the locally developed and supported research and development outputs and products aimed to address various challenges faced by the nation as a whole.
Organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the 8th NRDC will run from July 23-24, 2025 at the Manila Hotel. It features exhibits and technical forums on various research and development projects implemented and supported by the science department.
And as the country braces for the effects of typhoons and low-pressure areas, the DOST highlights high-impact R&D projects with real-world applications.
DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr said that over the last decade, the Philippines has placed itself among the most innovative countries in the world. He shared that in the latest Global Innovation Index (GII), the country ranked 53rd among 133 economies, pulling off three notches higher from the previous position in 2023.
According to him, even though the Philippines still trail behind more developed countries in innovation, it has shown remarkable progress over the past decade, consistently exceeding expectations. In 2024, it ranked among the top three lower middle-income economies—just behind India and Vietnam—demonstrating performance beyond its current level of development.
“I cannot overemphasize how all of this could have been possible without our talented researchers who have worked so hard to continuously advance our science and technologies, as well as our policymakers and government agencies whose commitment to STI through legislation and funding has been instrumental to our R&D work,” Solidum emphasized.
He also recognized the crucial role of private sector partners not only in R&D, but more importantly, in technology transfer and commercialization.
“When all these are further strengthened and put together, we envision an innovation ecosystem that will bring a new wave of development strongly built on reliable and effective science, " explained Solidum.
On the other hand, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Dr. Leah J. Buendia believes that in a rapidly changing global landscape, it is through innovation that we can address our country’s most pressing challenges—from natural disasters and food security to healthcare, education, and economic resilience.
“By investing in R&D, supporting our scientists and innovators, and fostering a strong culture of collaboration, we can create solutions that are not only relevant to our local context but are also globally competitive. Innovation is not just a tool for progress—it is the engine that will power the Philippines toward a more prosperous and resilient future,” said Buendia.
High impact R&D initiatives
Among the health technologies showcased is the locally developed leptospirosis and schistosomiasis detection kits called Lept-On-Site™ and Schist-On-Site™ respectively designed to provide rapid on-site test kits that use biosensors to identify pathogenic strains of Schistosoma japonicum and Leptospira spp. in environmental and flood waters. Also highlighted in the event is the Disaster Risk Reduction Management in Health (DRRM-H) Program of the University of the Philippines Manila, supported by the DOST-PCHRD and the DOST Niche Centers in the Regions (NICER) for R&D Program. The program established a facility offering state-of-the-art disaster simulation training to strengthen disaster preparedness and mitigation planning, and disaster response execution.
Moreso, to help build better lives for Filipinos the DOST-FNRI provide insights into the country’s current nutritional status and outline how data from the National Nutrition Survey can inform the development of effective and sustainable nutrition programs and policies at the local and national levels to help ensure that food and nutrition security can be accessible to all.
Hence, the Hunger and Malnutrition Heatmap will easily provide and help visualize the hunger and malnutrition landscape across the country. This digital innovation is designed to identify areas with the greatest need to enable policymakers in allocating resources more efficiently and planning targeted interventions in reducing food insecurity and improving nutrition outcomes nationwide.
Additionally, the Healthy Aging Program for Pinoy (Happy) Program and the Development and Pilot Scale Production of Innovative Food Products for Older Male and Female Filipinos aimed at developing food products that meet the nutritional needs of Filipino senior citizens, particularly in addressing muscular and cognitive decline. This initiative underscores the relevance of providing accessible and nutritious options to support the health and well-being of the elderly population.
On the aspect of wealth creation, the DOST also features the Aerocomp, a lightweight and ergonomically designed body armor made from natural and synthetic materials developed by researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman. It is among the 16 spin-offs established through the Funding Assistance for Spin-off and Translation of Research in Advancing Commercialization (FASTRAC) of the DOST-PCIEERD which aims to bridge the gap between R&D and commercialization.
Creating Enabling Environment for Filipino Researchers
Solidum shared that the DOST, with the support of the national government, is laying the groundwork for a thriving innovation ecosystem and is collaborating with various stakeholders to foster an environment where innovation can grow.
“We do this by setting up policy support for innovation, establishing key innovation infrastructures, building a cadre of STEM researchers and professionals who will steer R&D in the country, and enhancing our market and business sophistication to attract markets and investments for our R&D and technologies,” said Sec. Solidum
The DOST secretary shared that the department operationalized this mainly through DOST’s flagship Grants-in-Aid program that has been supporting STI programs and projects that align with the Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA).
"Many of these projects have resulted in new technologies and products that are now benefiting people and industries in various sectors in the Philippines and abroad. Some of these projects have also helped build national capacities in scientific fields critical to national development, and even led to the creation of key national institutions,” said Sec. Solidum.
Research initiatives for Disaster Preparedness and Management
Meanwhile, Solidum also emphasized that the modernization of key facilities—particularly those of DOST-PAGASA and DOST-PHIVOLCS—remains a top priority for both the DOST and the national government, given their crucial role in providing accurate information during disaster risks such as typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.
He mentioned that the recent signing of the PHIVOLCS Modernization Law is a significant step in strengthening the country's capacity to monitor and respond effectively to these threats.
“We cannot also let our socio-economic gains be stifled by natural hazards and disasters that regularly disrupt our development. We must build our resiliency as Filipinos on good and reliable science,” said Solidum.
Creating national hub for AI R&D
Solidum also revealed that one of the main goals of DOST is to showcase the unique brand of Filipino R&D that the country is capable of and to establish the Philippines as a leader in cutting-edge research and innovation—all while addressing various development challenges and driving the economy to greater heights.
He said that the DOST will establish a national hub for AI R&D, which will serve as a matchmaking center to assess regional needs and connect industries with tailored AI solutions.
Solidum also shared that the DOST, in cooperation with other key government agencies, has already launched the National AI Strategy (NAIS) Roadmap, which aims to unify the country’s efforts on AI and guide its development, deployment, and governance.
“Our current efforts are focused on building AI infrastructure, workforce, innovation and technologies, and ethics and policy. The goal is to bring these AI innovations to industries and other high-impact sectors to ensure that these translate into economic benefits for the country,” said Sec. Solidum.
The country’s science department is also implementing its GATES program—a pioneering initiative under its Geospatial Analytics Solutions effort—to enable data-driven decision-making. It integrates geospatial data across key sectors such as disaster risk reduction, health, education, and environmental monitoring.
Solidum shared that it aims to become the smartest geospatial-based AI tool for planning and science-based decision-making in the country.
At the same time, the DOST is advancing quantum computing through the “aQcelerate-PH” program, building on DOST-ASTI’s work to develop a hybrid test platform and lay the groundwork for a future Filipino-developed quantum computer.
Solidum also stressed the DOST’s mission to harness quantum computing to boost the country’s computing capacity and address key challenges in cybersecurity, climate prediction, materials science, and finance.
“Through DOST-ASTI’s Quantum Innovation Laboratory and the aQcelerate-PH program, the Department is developing a hybrid quantum test platform to help lay the groundwork for a Filipino-developed quantum computer,” Sec. Solidum said.
The 8th National R&D Conference is one of the many 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, & Opportunities for All. For more information, visit https://nrdc.dost.gov.ph/ or follow the official Facebook pages of DOST Philippines and DOST Research and Development. (By Allan Mauro V. Marfal, DOST-STII)