Tech and innovations: Vital to new economy

CEBU, Philippines - Innovation now plays a critical role in achieving the country’s development goals. But access to knowledge is one thing that needs to be advanced.

Knowledge drives productivity, industrialization and economic growth.

Engineer Edilberto Paradela, director of the Department of Science and Technology in Central Visayas, said technology and inventions are vital foundations of the new economy.

“Once you have an innovation, it answers to the needs of the community and the country in general. So, we can be globally competitive and spur national development,” Paradela said in an interview with The FREEMAN.

But the Philippines faces a challenge – that is the need to foster the culture of invention and creativity in schools and in other sectors in the society.

In fact, the country ranked 18th out of select 24 Asian economies in the recent Creative Productivity Index of the Asian Development Bank and Economist Intelligence Unit.

Moving toward knowledge-based economy, ADB said, requires creative productivity.

The CPI assesses how governments encourage in turning creative inputs into innovation investments.

The director explained the academe holds a big contribution in realizing initiatives in science and technology industry.

“Universities whether private or public can also help in developing the culture on research and development,” Paradela said.

He also noted the Commission on Higher Education and Department of Education should also take their role in developing learners to become inventors.

Inventors' frustration

While some inventors get frustrated with lack of government funding, the DOST official assured the agency would enhance its support services to potential inventors.

Inventors, for their part, should prove that they deserve money support.

One main hindrance that prevents innovators from pursuing their invention is the difficulty to disclose their idea in a scientific publication which is needed for patent application. Patent is an intellectual property right granted wholly to inventors.

Paradela advised inventors to improve the quality of their disclosures to get protection and establish credibility. Patent professionals are also there to help in the process, he said. — (FREEMAN)