Presidential Coordinating Council on Research and Development (PCCRD)

1. Presidential Coordinating Council on Research and Development (PCCRD) Research and Development in the Philippines: Issues and Recommendations Presented by Sec. Estrella F. Alabastro DOST

2. Composition Chairman President of the Philippines Vice Chairman Secretary of Science and Technology MembersSecretary of Agriculture Secretary of Budget and Management Secretary of Energy Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary of Foreign Affairs Secretary of Health Secretary of National Defense Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning Secretary of Trade and Industry Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education Chairman of the Commission on ICT President of the Academy of Science & Technology President of the National Research Council of the Philippines

3. Composition MembersFive (5) Representatives from Private Sectors 1. Mr. Meneleo J. Carlos, Jr. 2. Dr. Feliciano B. Calora 3. Dr. Phillip L. Ong 4. Dr. Mediadora C. Saniel 5. (to be appointed) Two (2) Representatives from Organizations of Scientists and Engineers engaged in R&D 1. Dr. Alvin B. Culaba 2. Dr. Fortunato B. Sevilla III

4. Functions and Responsibilities • Serve as a consensus-building body on national R&D priorities to which government R&D budget allocation would be directed, • Institute measures to improve the monitoring and evaluation of R&D results and the performance of R&D institutions, • Review and recommend policies to encourage private R&D as well as international funding for R&D and increase national R&D funding to 0.5% of GDP.

5. WHERE ARE WE?

6. Estimated National R&D Expendituresby Sector of Performance2002-2003 & 2005 Sources: * DOST R&D Surveys; ** NSO-ASPBI

7. R&D Indicators among ASEAN Countries * All data are in full time equivalent units except for the Philippines

8. Issues and Recommendations Issue No. 1: Public R&D funds are lodged in various government agencies, each with its own system of R&D fund management, including the setting of priorities. Recommendations: To ensure that all R&D efforts are synchronized, PCCRD to unify R&D priorities into one National R&D Priorities Plan (just like the Investment Priorities Plan) with an accompanying monitoring and evaluation scheme to be adopted and officially issued as an E.O. by the President.

9. Issues and Recommendations Issue No. 2: Lack of comprehensive database of all publicly funded R&D projects from which to base the monitoring & evaluation system. Recommendation: Presidential directive to departments/agencies with R&D budgets to develop an accessible and shared database of all R&D projects funded by the government to be overseen by DOST.

10. Issues and Recommendations Issue No. 3: There are barriers constraining the importation of R&D equipment and materials (long processing time to import inputs, high cost due to taxes on equipment and inputs to research, COA rules). Recommendation: Presidential directive to concerned government agencies to establish an express lane for the importation of research equipment and materials for research, to Finance Department to work out the exemption of research equipment from duties and taxes, and to COA to adopt guidelines specific for R&D activities.

11. Issues and Recommendations Issue No. 4: The country is not maximizing its potential to become an attractive location for R&D centers, units, and organizations. Recommendations: • Presidential directive to DTI and DOST to do an in-depth study on how to attract R&D locators in the country (examples of present locators: Novartis, BASF). • Expand R&D linkages in various ways including maximizing the use of available foreign scholarships/fellowships.

12. Issues and Recommendations Issue No. 5: Sustainability of Science and Technology R&D over a long term period. Recommendation: Establish R&D Trust Funds with contributions coming from Government and the Private Sector.

13. Thank You