In a landmark collaboration aimed at bolstering the nation’s innovation and economic growth, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) partnered with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) for the inauguration of the DOST-PCCI Technology, Innovation, and Business hub in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.
The state-of-the-art hub, which opened on November 18, is envisioned as a transformative platform where science, technology, and business will converge to provide solutions to propel Filipino industries toward global competitiveness.
Mr. Ferdinand A. Ferrer, PCCI executive vice president and director for Science, Technology, and Innovation, highlighted the importance of the hub and underscored its potential to empower businesses and transform industries.
“This innovation center offers a vital channel for the government to help the private sector progress and survive, benefiting over 900,000 businesses,” Ferrer said.
Consul Eunina V. Mangio, PCCI president, described the hub as “where science meets business, and research becomes not just a knowledge generator but a producer of tangible solutions that can transform our industries toward global competitiveness.”
DOST leaders also expressed their shared vision for the hub, with Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. affirming its alignment with national goals: “This collaboration is a cornerstone of our Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and Ambisyon Natin 2040. Together, DOST and PCCI will ignite a transformative ecosystem that catalyzes growth, sparks creativity, and propels Philippine enterprises toward global competitiveness.”
Assistant Secretary Dr. Napoleon K. Juanillo Jr. echoed the vision, saying: “This collective effort aims to position the Philippines as a leader in science, technology, and business innovation.”
The inauguration marked a significant step in strengthening the public-private partnership in innovation. The hub will serve as a center for collaborative projects, fostering creativity and enabling businesses to adapt to evolving market demands.
By bridging science and enterprise, the DOST-PCCI Technology, Innovation, and Business Hub symbolizes a unified commitment to harnessing innovation as the key to economic resilience and national development. (NELSON SANTOS)