The Philippine government is working with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on a new initiative to strengthen Southeast Asia’s semiconductor ecosystem by converting academic research into commercial technology, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said.
Speaking during the ASEAN 2026 Senior Economic Officials Meeting in Manila on March 12, Roque said the ASCEND program supports the regional semiconductor roadmap by creating investment pathways and positioning the region as a global hub for high-tech manufacturing.
The program aims to boost the capacity of select state universities to translate research into practical solutions for the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors.
“We are working closely with ADB on the ASCEND program, which is vital to our ASEAN Semiconductor Roadmap,” Roque said.
The initiative will fund facility upgrades and specialized training aligned with industry needs while fostering closer ties between academic institutions and private enterprises. It also provides grants for applied research, startup incubation and enterprise development to move innovations from laboratories to the market.
Roque said the program builds on previous ADB-backed efforts that promoted Industry 4.0 development and identified opportunities for technology-driven startups. Alongside ASCEND, the trade department is working with the ADB on the ProSPER project to accelerate the digital transformation of micro, small and medium enterprises.
The ProSPER project encourages smaller businesses to adopt digital tools and e-commerce platforms to participate in global and domestic value chains. Roque noted that the Philippines’ strong local market continues to attract foreign investors.
