R&D spending of PH alarmingly low—DTI

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) raised alarm over the country’s low gross expenditure on research and development that undermines its target of creating $3.5 trillion to $5.9 trillion in the value of 19 industries led by retail, transport and logistics, travel, healthcare, consumer packaged goods, auto assembly and other activities.

At the Inclusive Innovation Conference (IIC) 2022, Trade Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba said the country’s low gross expenditure on research and development (R&D) at 0.16 percent was way below the recommended spending of 1 percent by the United Nations and Southeast Asia’s average of 0.76 percent.

“The Philippines lacks comprehensive framework that will both protect the rights of Filipinos and spur responsible AI adoption and AI innovations,” said Aldaba Wednesday at the opening of the two-day IIC held at the Batangas State University.

Among the barriers to the adoption of new technologies include lack of awareness and knowledge and skills in adopting higher technologies, limited access to finance and high costs, and the poor state of telecommunications, infrastructure and services.