Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan of the Department of Economic Planning and Development (DEPDev) delivered a compelling vision for the nation’s economic trajectory during the INNOTECH Seminar Series on Education, Innovation, and Technology, held yesterday at the SEAMEO INNOTECH Regional Center.
In his keynote lecture, titled “Rewiring Philippine Growth Amid Uncertainty: People, Innovation, and Shared Prosperity,” Secretary Balisacan argued that traditional growth models must be updated to withstand global volatility. He emphasized that for the Philippines to transition into a high-income economy, innovation must move from the periphery to the center of national policy.
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Beyond Invention: Balisacan noted that for developing nations, productivity is driven as much by the diffusion and adoption of existing technologies as it is by new inventions.
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Human Capital: The “rewiring” process focuses heavily on people, ensuring the workforce is equipped to navigate an AI-integrated and tech-heavy global market.
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Resilience through Tech: By strengthening innovation capabilities, the Philippines can better insulate its economy from external shocks and global market uncertainties. “Sustaining our economic momentum requires more than just capital investment; it requires a fundamental shift in our innovation capabilities,” Secretary Balisacan stated. “To achieve shared prosperity, we must ensure that technology reaches every sector of society, boosting productivity from our small farms to our largest urban enterprises.”
Dr. Majah-Leah V. Ravago, Centre Director of SEAMEO INNOTECH, opened the seminar by acknowledging the Secretary’s strategic roadmap. She underscored that the event’s theme directly addresses the “central challenge” of the modern era: building an economy that is both future-ready and radically inclusive.
“The intersection of education and technology is where the future of the Philippines will be written,” Dr. Ravago added. “This lecture series serves as the bridge between high-level policy and actionable innovation.”
The SEAMEO INNOTECH Lecture Series is a premier platform for global experts and regional leaders. It aims to:
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Share cutting-edge ideas in education and technology.
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Showcase scalable solutions for regional challenges.
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Explore multilateral opportunities for collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector.
For more information on the seminar series and upcoming DEPDev initiatives, please visit [Insert Website] or contact the Press Office.
