Latest news with #NationalAcademyofScienceandTechnologyPhilippines
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
NAST PHL calls for urgent action to boost export competitiveness through quality infrastructure
The National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines (NAST PHL) on Friday issued a compelling call for the government to prioritize strengthening the country's National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) system, citing its critical role in boosting Philippine exports and economic growth. The Philippines currently ranks 57th globally in quality infrastructure development, trailing behind regional neighbors Vietnam (52nd), Malaysia (33rd), Singapore (29th), Thailand (28th), and Indonesia (27th), according to the 2023 Global Quality Infrastructure Index. NQI is the system comprising public and private organizations, policies, legal frameworks, and practices that ensure the quality, safety, and environmental soundness of goods, services, and processes. It enables domestic markets to function effectively while providing the international recognition needed to access foreign markets. As a critical element for economic development and social well-being, NQI relies on five key components: metrology (measurement standards), standardization (setting product standards), accreditation (verifying competence), conformity assessment (testing and certification), and market surveillance (monitoring compliance). Together, these components help Philippine businesses prove their products meet both local and international requirements. Key recommendations for government action: Pass priority legislation - NAST PHL urges the 20th Congress to prioritize comprehensive NQI legislation to modernize and integrate the country's quality systems. Create a coordinating council - Establish a National Quality Infrastructure Coordinating Council through a Presidential Executive Order to align all quality-related government agencies. Increase budget support - Provide adequate funding to strengthen personnel and facilities of NQI agencies, addressing current shortages of staff and resources. Support businesses - Offer incentives like tax exemptions for companies pursuing quality certifications and provide better information about export requirements. Promote quality culture - Integrate quality awareness in education from primary school to university level. Studies show that countries with strong quality infrastructure systems experience higher export growth and better protect consumers. The correlation between QI development and exports stands at 88%, indicating that improving the Philippines' quality systems could significantly boost trade performance. 'Without a robust quality infrastructure, Philippine exporters cannot prove their products meet international standards, limiting access to premium markets and fair prices,' the statement emphasized. The Academy's recommendations come as the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 identifies NQI strengthening as a strategic priority for trade promotion and economic development.
GMA Network
09-07-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Bioscience highlighted at NAST's 47th Annual Scientific Meeting
The National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines (NAST-PHL) highlighted the importance of bioscience during the 47th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM). During the first day of the event at the Manila Hotel on Wednesday, the NAST-PHL celebrated the culmination of regional scientific meetings held nationwide over the past four months in pursuit of science-based solutions for development. 'We bring attention to the transformative role that science and technology can play in shaping a more inclusive, more sustainable, and more innovation-driven economy. As we face increasingly complex societal and environmental challenges, the need to harness bioscience for practical but impactful outcomes has never been more urgent,' said NAST-PHL president Jaime Montoya in his opening remarks. Through the ASM, Montoya emphasized the creation of models and innovations to help in advancing human well-being, wealth creation and protection, as well as sustainability. 'Bioscience offers innovative tools to ensure the responsible use of natural resources, supporting agricultural stability, ecosystem protection, and long-term community well-being while balancing economic and environmental goals,' he added. Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum welcomed the focus on biosystems research. 'Biosystems are very critical because of food and nutrition, because also the environment and the ecosystem also would cater to various health risks to people, animals, and plants, and this is critical now as we promote human well-being and a longer and better quality of life. As we develop the sciences and products out of the research, we are also able to obtain wealth out of the products and services that we gather,' Solidum said. The 47th ASM included a display of studies from various disciplines and sectors of the government, academia, industry, and civil society to display the newest innovations in biosystems. 'We want them to at least disseminate at the same time, utilize the technology that we have discovered para sana ma-access or i-apply (to hopefully access or apply this) in the real scenario… We are disseminating so at least somebody will take up the technology and apply it,' said Roselle Mamuad, who was among the team who studied the effects of simultaneous removal of lead and zinc from lead acid battery industry wastewater. 'We absolutely think that one fatality is very fatal, and that is the main reason that [our study] should actually be addressed and for people to actually talk about more…. We are definitely hoping for further studies and research in this area to be funded, because we are talking about lives in this research,' added Jimwell Bernabe, who was part of the team studying deaths linked to venomous cone snails. Solidum also shared that the DOST is now working on digitizing all information of the agency. This followed after the DOST launched their Elevate Philippines Initiative in February, which included AI, spatial analytics, quantum computing, Industry 4.0, smart agriculture, smart technologies, circular economy, and biologics in pharmaceuticals. 'My priority is to [digitize] the nutrition survey of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute so that we can peg the information down to the family level and combine this with much other information that we have on availability or accessibility to potable water because it also affects nutrition and health service from DOH because it will affect the health of the youth,' he said. 'The new spatial analytics program will be the fuel of our artificial intelligence platform for DOST. This is also a platform that, when proven very useful for DOST, will also be shared with other departments. Right now we are digitizing all information of DOST,' he added. Solidum said that their database will consist of information across 18 attached agencies of the DOST, as well as all regional and provincial offices. 'The real focus is creating wealth out of what we do in DOST and our partnership across industry and MSME, because eventually, whether you talk about malnutrition or other challenges, this all goes down to the economic development of every family. We also wanted to scale up, and I'm very glad that the theme for this year is towards that,' Solidum said. 'Whether it is Industry 4.0, we will focus on guiding companies to modernize their instrumentation,' he continued. The DOST intends to collaborate with scientists from other countries to address problems in the country. 'As we do research, we also want to develop the economy of the country, and that is done through science and technology. Just like what other countries have followed as a pathway for development,' Solidum said. The ASM is an annual event for evidence-based dialogue and innovation exchange organized by the NAST-PHL, an agency attached to the DOST. On Thursday, the 47th ASM will present the NAST Awards for achievements in research and development, as well as feature the investiture of new NAST members. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
