Government OKs 19 projects under innovation grants

MANILA, Philippines — The National Innovation Council (NIC) has approved 19 project proposals amounting to P115 million to be funded by innovation grants, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

In a briefing at Malacañang yesterday, NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the NIC, chaired by President Marcos, approved 19 project proposals under the government’s innovation fund.

He said “majority of which sought to address the pre-commercialization and commercialization requirements of innovative products or services, the enhancement of innovation facilities and services, and the conduct of capacity-building activities.”

Among the project proposals approved by the NIC are Project SciNing – Cultivating Ingenuity, Creativity and Awareness through Experiential Learning, Innovations and Promotions; Establishment of PCHRD Health Research and Technology Innovation Hubs: Expanding the TEKI in Health Program among Health Institutions; Grassroots Innovation for Inclusive Development: Bringing Science and Technology closer to the Margins; Industrial Designing and Finalization of Production Drawings for the Commercialization of BUHAWI; Enhancing the Capacity of the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Technologies Center using Local Innovation for Smarter and More Resilient Community-based Renewable Energy Microgrids; and Implementation of Innovation, Science and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-based Development Program with Indoor Farming Technology of the Department of Science and Technology.

Also approved were the Department of Agriculture’s Pilot Testing and Commercialization of Micro Impeller Rice Mill; Department of Trade and Industry’s Building Roadmaps for Resilient Philippine Creative Cities; Department of Interior and Local Government’s Exploring and Mainstreaming the Use of Natural Water Treatment Methods to Improve Drinking Water Quality; University of the Philippines’ i-LINK: Integration of Localized Maritime Information Systems for a Comprehensive Nautical Knowledge Base; and South Cotabato State College’s Improvement of the Single Row Push-type Plot Seeder with Mechatronic Seed Feeding Device for Corn (Zea Mays L.) Field Breeding Experiment.

Project proposals from local governments such as the Vizcaya Optimization of Incubation Centers for Economic Sustainability; Romblon’s Water Collection System with Treatment Facility at Brgy. Yabawon and Tan-Ag; Camiguin’s Farmers Information and Technology Service Center Innovation Program; Naga City Startup Ecosystem Development Program; Puerto Princesa’s Information System on Transport Operation; Establishment and Operationalization of Ilocos Norte MSME (Micro, Small Medium Enterprises); Incubation Center; Batangas Animal Movement Reporting Approach to Control Diseases; and the Cavite Product Innovation Program for MSMEs were likewise approved by the NIC.

The NIC is a 25-member body tasked to develop the country’s innovation goals, priorities, and long-term national strategy.

It has the NEDA Secretary as vice-chair, 16 ex-officio members, along executive members from the private sector.

Among the NIC’s outputs is the innovation fund, a revolving fund that aims to strengthen entrepreneurship and enterprises engaged in developing innovative solutions.

Balisacan said innovation plays a critical role for sustained and accelerated economic growth and development.

He said it is through innovation that the country could raise its overall productivity and elevate the quality of its products and services.

“The Marcos administration is committed to promoting and advancing the culture of innovation in the country through increased collaborations with the private sector, especially as we prioritize the development of infrastructure, pursue digital transformation, and work towards creating a more attractive and enabling business environment and investment climate in this term,” he said.