Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development executive director Enrico Paringit (file photo)
MANILA – The Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) is eyeing a PHP16.13 billion budget allocation for research and development (R&D) projects from 2022 to 2024.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency on Thursday, PCIEERD executive director Enrico Paringit said for 2022 alone, they have received 397 project proposals. A total of PHP6.44 billion is being eyed to fund the approved projects.
He clarified that PCIEERD has been launching a call for proposals two years prior to a fiscal year to provide enough time to prepare its annual budget for presentation to the Department of Budget and Management and legislators.
"R&D should form the backbone of interventions, especially when people’s lives are at greatest risk. Our scientists and researchers have shown that they are quick to respond to the pandemic -- rolling out technologies such as the locally-made personal protective equipment, resource monitoring apps, and use of analytics for science-based and data-driven decision making," Paringit said.
For 2023, PCIEERD targeted to receive 171 proposals with a total PHPP1.7 billion funding. The agency received 203 proposals and requested for a PHP2.9 billion funding allocation for the projects.
Paringit said the funding requests are based on the projected needs, adding amount also does not increase yearly since there are years when PCIEERD would focus on technology transfer/adoption, communication and impact assessment.
Proposals for fiscal year 2024 may be sent from March 1 to 31, 2022 through the DOST Project Management Information System (DPMIS).
PCIEERD is targeting to receive 304 proposals, and is looking at PHP6.9 billion funding allocation.
Project proposals should focus on the following priority areas: Energy; Construction; Utilities; Transportation; Food; Process; Mining and Minerals; Metals and Engineering; Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology; Optics and Photonics; Information and Communication Technologies; Electronics; Artificial Intelligence (AI); Space Technology Application; Convergence of Emerging Technologies/Industry 4.0 and Smarter Cities; Environment; Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Change Adaptation (DRR-CCA); Unmanned Vehicle System; Creative Industries (Game, Animation, and Film), Creative Industries; and Science Communication.
"We have the brightest minds to combat this pandemic, and we should continue to build our R&D capabilities to prevent another one and to help solve pressing problems in our society," Paringit said as to why it is necessary to focus on R&D amid the pandemic.
Approved proposals for 2024 will be announced in June 2022, according to PCIEERD. (PNA)
