Roco, who was also former education secretary, made the call as keynote speaker in the 8th IT Professionals Congress of the Philippine Computer Society at the Asian Institute of Management Conference Center last July 1.
With respect to the IT industry, Roco said the national strategy should focus on higher value-added endeavors such as software development.
He reminded his audience about the country’s experience in the garment industry, which failed to evolve itself from the low-value operation of contract manufacturing into the creative and higher value-added design services.
He said that although call centers and other similar enterprises generate employment, these are still low-value added IT-enabled services.
He added that while animation is highly creative, it is still not within the realm of a creative area.
It is in creative and imaginative thinking where, he said, IT professionals could excel and enjoy competitive advantage in an industry characterized by constant change.
He called attention to the directions set by the government as articulated in some of the more significant goals of the Information Technology and E-Commerce Council (ITECC).
"The national policy will encourage and promote the development of more strategic, innovative and knowledge-based enterprises. This will mean the rapid development of more scientists, software engineers and other technical disciplines. This can be achieved through intensified education of local professionals and by encouraging successful Filipinos abroad to return or work virtually with our local scientists and professionals," Roco said.
He, however, asserted that the development of scientists and engineers is only one critical component.
The other critical aspect, he said, is the development of creativity and innovative thinking skills that is not achieved with a singular focus on the technical skills, but also involves the development of humanities and liberal arts among these scientists.
"Data do not automatically translate into knowledge, and knowledge does not perforce endow wisdom," Roco said, as he advocated the fusion of humanities and technical discipline in achieving the desired aims of national development.