Tagaytay City, Philippines – 21 July 2025. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the Office of Assistant Secretary for Technology Transfer, Communications, and Commercialization, is taking bold steps to align science, technology, and innovation (STI) initiatives with the country’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the Validation Workshop on Project-Relevant and Priority SDGs held in Tagaytay City.
In his opening address, Assistant Secretary Napoleon K. Juanillo, Jr., Project Leader of the STI4SDGs initiative, emphasized the urgency of a strategic shift. “This is not just about filling in matrices or agreeing on a list. It is about aligning our science, technology, and innovation with agenda with real, urgent needs of our communities, our institutions, and our future as a nation,” he said.
Despite integrating the SDGs into national development plans, the Philippines continues to face challenges in meeting its targets. “As of March 2025, only 16.9% of measurable SDG indicators are on track, nearly half require accelerated action, and over one-third are regressing,” ASec. Juanillo revealed. He added that the country currently ranks 87th out of 167 countries in the global SDG Index, underscoring the need for more coordinated and data-driven action.
The workshop gathered experts from across DOST system to identify and validate priority SDGs and co-develop pathways for high-impact innovation. The ultimate goal is to ensure that DOST-funded programs and STI investments are clearly aligned with both national and global development goals.
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