According to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) recognized the country’s ability to perform above expectations for its level of development. According to the GII report, the country produced more innovation outputs relative to its level of innovation investments.

In 2022, the Philippines ranks 5th among the 36 lower-middle-income group economies compared to its 4th place in 2021. The country also ranks 11th among the 17 economies in South East Asia, East Asia, and Oceania, which is the same spot in the 2021 rankings. These high marks are present, even if the Philippines’ Innovation Inputs dipped from 72 in 2021 to 76 in 2022 and Innovation Outputs from 40 in 2021 to 51 in 2022.

The GII is an annual ranking of countries by their capacity for, and success in, innovation. According to the WIPO website, the GII tracks the most recent global innovation trends against the background of an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, slowing productivity growth and other evolving challenges.

It reveals the most innovative economies in the world, ranking the innovation performance of around 132 economies while highlighting innovation strengths and weaknesses.

“The Philippines rank in the latest Global Innovation Index is a challenge to both the government and private sector to prioritize innovation,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr.

“Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we at the DOST are fully committed to drive the local industry to succeed through our investments in S&T facilities and laboratory network to support our local industry’s productivity,” he added.

Supporting this statement is DOST Assistant Secretary Leah J. Buendia, OIC to the Office of the Undersecretary for R&D, saying: “The Philippines continues to capitalize on its strengths and increasing capacity in industry 4.0 technologies. DOST funded R&D facilities and laboratories with an active nationwide network for the development of industry and programs for digitalization, allows industry for a more streamlined and efficient process.”

The lower rank in 2022 was largely due to decreased performance scores in Knowledge and Technology Outputs which are mainly a function of knowledge creation, knowledge impact, and knowledge diffusion.

However, it must be noted that despite the decrease in performance scores in Knowledge and Technology Outputs, DOST said that the country continues to produce more innovation outputs relative to its level of innovation investments. In fact, despite this lower performance, the Philippines continues to perform above the regional average among its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Dhel Nazario

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