The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has collaborated with other government agencies, including the departments of trade and industry and budget and management, on researches that open a wide range of opportunities aimed at improving the country’s industrial competitiveness.

DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said his department has partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Filipinnovation (Filipino innovation) movement, which the DOST has headed for 10 years and the DTI has agreed to spearhead the movement.

Filipinnovation is considered to be a strategic tool for the country’s economic development.

In response to the needs of the industry, de la Peña said a new x-ray facility has been opened at the Advanced Materials Testing Laboratory (ADMATEL) of the department’s Industrial Technology Development Institute.

“So far the only one in the country that will help our industries particularly in the testing and analysis of materials and components and also in the prototyping work,” he said.

De la Peña said his department has also established the electronic products for inclusive innovation center at Bicutan.

He thus encouraged designers of electronic products, students, faculty members and small entrepreneurs to use the facilities and equipment for prototype development.

De la Peña stressed that DOST’s partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) focuses on helping start-ups in the field of ICT.

Further, De la Peña cited his department’s collaboration with Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on the digital imaging for monitoring and evaluation of government projects using satellite data and imaging technologies.

With this, he said the DBM is now confident it can assess the real accomplishment rate particularly of infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program.

“You cannot just rely what the implementors are saying that they accomplished. If they report 50 percent accomplishment, DBM can now verify through satellite data and other technologies,” he added.