Manila is looking to invest big into emerging technologies once again. The Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) is eyeing a PHP16.13 billion (US$308,912,082.00) budget allocation for research and development (R&D) projects from 2022 to 2024.
To note, PCIEERD is one of the three sectoral planning councils of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Its mandate is to serve as the central agency in the formulation of policies, plans, and programs as well as in the implementation of strategies in the industry, energy, and emerging technology sectors.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, PCIEERD Executive Director Enrico Paringit said for 2022 alone, they have received 397 project proposals. A total of PHP6.44 billion (US$123.335 million) is being eyed to fund the approved projects.
He clarified that PCIEERD has been launching a call for proposals two years prior to a fiscal year. This is to provide ample lead time to prepare its annual budget for presentation to the Department of Budget and Management and legislators.
R&D should form the backbone of interventions, especially when people’s lives are at the greatest risk. Our scientists and researchers have shown that they are quick to respond to the pandemic – rolling out technologies such as locally-made personal protective equipment, resource monitoring apps, and use of analytics for science-based and data-driven decision making.
– Enrico Paringit, Executive Director, Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development
For the year 2023, PCIEERD is targeting to receive 171 proposals with a total of PHP1.7 billion ( US$32.554 million) funding. However, the agency received more than expected. For that time frame, the agency received 203 proposals and requested a PHP2.9 billion (US$55.539 million) funding allocation for the projects.
Paringit detailed the funding requests are based on the projected needs. Moreover, he added the amount also does not increase yearly since there are years when PCIEERD would focus on other areas of technology such as its transfer/adoption, communication and impact assessment.
Further, he disclosed the closing window to submit proposals for the year 2024. These may be sent from March 1 to 31, 2022 through the DOST Project Management Information System (DPMIS). According to him, PCIEERD is targeting to receive 304 proposals and is looking at PHP6.9 billion (US$132,157,356 million) funding allocation.
Among other technology sectors, project proposals should focus on the following priority areas:
- Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology
- Optics and Photonics
- Information and Communication Technologies
- Electronics
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Space Technology Application
- Convergence of Emerging Technologies/Industry 4.0
- Smarter Cities
- Unmanned Vehicle System
- Creative Industries (Game, Animation, and Film)
- Science Communication
The agency is quick to qualify that not all proposals will make it. However, for those that will, these projects will be announced by June 2022.
The Philippines is ramping up its efforts towards digital transformation, including the recent plan to open up a 3D printing training hub for the academe shows. Its foray into research and development shows how much it values pushing the envelope
This year, the country could be in for greater technology ventures. As reported on OpenGov Asia, the country is investing in its technopreneurs, giving them needed seed capital to make their tech dreams come true.