BICUTAN, TAGUIG CITY – The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) conducted the Grand Launching of PAGTANAW 2050: The Philippine Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Foresight on 1 April 2022. The event was held physically at Casino Español de Manila and virtually via Zoom platform.
The grand launching was physically attended by DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, National Scientist (NS) Dolores A. Ramirez, NS Lourdes J. Cruz, NS Emil Q. Javier and other key DOST officials. The event was also attended by representatives from private and public institutions, LGUs, SUCs and HEIs, and other partners attended the event virtually.
Academician Rhodora V. Azanza, President of NAST PHL, welcomed the participants and emphasized that “we have now the power at our hands through this foresight document to give hope to our fellow countrymen that we can achieve our global and national societal goals by 2050.” She also highlighted that “this initiative is a big step towards designing and implementing integrated yet time-specific strategies for a prosperous, inclusive, and agile Philippine future” in which the shared vision of the Philippines as a Prosperous, Archipelagic, and Maritime Nation would only be achieved through acknowledging and enhancing our existence by diplomatically asserting our rights over the resources in our marine environment.
DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, on the other hand referred to PAGTANAW 2050 as “…a planning device towards achieving concrete goals and designing strategic plans that shall transcend political periods whilst aiming for inclusive growth, sustainability, and competitiveness in STI.” The Secretary is also hopeful as he expressed his support for the institutionalization of PAGTANAW 2050. He pointed out that as with it being a long-term policy instrument, a foresight initiative merits regular review and updating for it to be relevant to the times, aside from its review, there is also a need to continuously finance the initiative that goes beyond term limits and administrative appointments.
Following the message of the DOST Secretary, the presentation of PAGTANAW 2050 through an Audio-Visual Presentation was played. The presentation summarizes the content of the document and highlights the key information that people need to know. Social media accounts of PAGTANAW 2050 were also introduced.
National Scientist (NS) for Plant Breeding and Science Administration, NS Emil Q. Javier, gave his declaration of support for PAGTANAW 2050. He underscored that planning for the future is an exercise the science community does all the time. Moreover, he said that the foresight document has a significant difference with other past science planning exercises as it involves participation of senior administrators of other cabinet departments, the senior executives of the private sectors, and as well as the civil society organizations. NS Javier boldly asserted that PAGTANAW 2050 has a “far, wider, and broader ownership compared with the previous efforts of the scientific community”.
NS Javier emphasized the importance of pressing concerns that the country should think and do about now if we really want to become a Prosperous, Archipelagic, Maritime Nation. First is the completion of the Nautical Highways, as it is one of the reasons why the country lacks competitiveness in food and agriculture. Another concern raised is all about modernizing the seaports, and acquiring ship research vessels. In addition to the concerns mentioned, ship building, repair, and maintenance should also be highly considered if we really want to become a truly maritime nation. The immediate concern that NS Javier pointed out is the modernization of the country’s maritime and seafarer education. Lastly, NS Javier calls for investments in sea exploration, sea bed mining, and the development for the national capacity for renewable energy generation.
Various NGA’s, Institutions, and Policy Makers manifested and declared their support for PAGTANAW 2050 during the Grand Launching. The list of personalities who sent their support are as follows:
- Senator Pia S. Cayetano
Chairwoman, Senate Committee on SDG’s, Innovation and Futures Thinking - Senator Joel Villanueva
Chairman, Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development - Senator Christopher Lawrence Go
Chairman, Senate Committee on Health and Demography - Dr. William D. Dar
Secretary, Department of Agriculture - Dr. Joel Joseph S. Maciano Jr.
Director General, Philippine Space Agency - Atty. Danilo L. Concepcion
President, University of the Philippines System - Dr. Anthony C. Sales, Jr.
Regional Director, DOST Region XI - Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga
Regional Director, DOST Region VI - Mr. Rommel R. Serrano
Regional Director, DOST Region V - Acd. Windell R. Rivera
President, Outstanding Young Scientists Inc. - Dr. Mariano R. Sto. Domingo
President, Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering - Dr. Diana L. Ignacio
President, Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science & Technology - Dr. Norvie L. Manigbas
President, Philippine Association of Career Scientists, Inc. - Dr. Cristine Villagonzalo
President, National Research Council of the Philippines
Written statements of support to PAGTANAW 2050 were also sent by the following:
- Ms. Gina A. Jamoralin
Assistant Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs - Cong. Jose Ma. Clemente “Joey” Sarte Salceda
Chairman, House Committee on Ways and Means - Mr. Alredo E. Pascual
President, Management Association of the Philippines
DOST Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services, Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., in his closing remarks, articulated that the Foresight will provide better direction on creating enabling systems to further drive scientific progress and innovation that would serve the nation’s interests and benefit the Filipino people. The discernment of patterns, trends, drivers, science and technology frontier areas, uncertainties including the emergence of black swans was also emphasized by Dr. Solidum as he believes that these are vital to the formulation of resilient and agile response modes. (Joshua Emmanuel A. Veluya/NAST PHL)
The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) is an attached agency to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) mandated by law (Executive Order 818 s.1982) to serve as adviser to the President of the Republic of the Philippines and the cabinet on policies concerning science and technology in the country. For more updates, follow NAST Philippines’ (@nastphl) social media accounts and PAGTANAW 2050 social media accounts (@pagtanaw2050).