The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) recently conducted the organizational meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Statistics last 27 January 2023 at PSA-CAR Conference Room.

STI is deemed to contribute to the achievement of the overall Philippine Development Plan (PDP) goal of “Healthy and Resilient Philippines” by increasing the country’s growth of the overall potential through the scaling-up technology adoption and accelerating innovation to address the potential challenges ushered in by the new normal. The creation of a TWG on STI Statistics is necessary to serve as the venue for discussion, monitoring, review, and recommendation of strategies to implement the STI frameworks and gather/compile related statistics. The TWG was created thru CAR Regional Statistics Committee (RSC) Resolution Number 3 series of 2022 passed last 18 March 2022.

The TWG is chaired by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) as the vice chair. The members of the TWG meeting is comprised of the following agencies: National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc. (JVOFI), Indigenous Peoples’ Centre for Policy Research and Education (Tebtebba Foundation), Benguet State University (BSU), Saint Louis University (SLU), University of the Cordilleras (UC), and  University of the Philippines (UP) Baguio.

DOST-CAR  Assistant Regional Director Pita S. Picpican presented the concepts and definition of STI. She discussed a comprehensive view of the STI statistical framework. Furthermore, the operationalization of the framework would help the region in elevating the importance of STI to the overall development of CAR.

PSA Chief Statistical Specialist Aldrin Federico Bahit Jr. discussed the ways forward that involve the preparation of the work plan of the TWG to be presented during the first quarter meeting of the RSC; gathering of available STI key indicators of the region, or identification of additional and proxy indicators and where to situate these on the STI Framework; and building the STI databank to prepare the regional Compendium on STI Statistics.

PSA-CAR extends its utmost appreciation to the TWG members on STI for their support. PSA-CAR will continue their collaborative efforts for building up the key indicators for the STI sector of the Cordillera.

VILLAFE P. ALIBUYOG
Regional Director