The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has underscored the need to increase productivity of the agriculture and industry sectors to generate high-quality jobs.
Socio-economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan stressed that science and technology innovations can directly improve the quality of life, especially those related to health, safety, and environmental quality.
"Enhancing the country's science and technology capacity depends on good policies and practices that foster the appropriate environment and promote the interconnectedness of the areas upon which science and technology stands," said Balisacan.
He explained that policies that promote greater human resource development, facilitate demand for knowledge from the private sector, enhance public support for and management of knowledge institutions, and facilitate access to information and communication technologies (ICT) infrastructure must be coordinated and harmonized in order to create the conditions in which science and technology capacity deepens and consolidates.
"A major part of the research and development work will still be initiated by government. But we hope that the private sector would increase their research and development efforts as well," he said.
"Investments in human capital will also address the problem of low employability among new job entrants. We have started the phased implementation of the K-to- 12 Basic Education Program, which aims to improve the quality of basic education and to better prepare our students for the world of work."
"We are also increasing investments in technical education while encouraging higher education institutions to partner with business and employers to ensure the relevance of their program offerings."
Balisacan said successful implementation of these strategies demands a greater sense of urgency in government as well as better coordination between and among the various agencies charged with implementing programs and projects.
He expressed optimism that the science and technology community and the industry sector would also take the necessary steps to increase their efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.

Source: Manila Bulletin - July 3, 2013