The Philippine government is ramping up efforts to create a strong and inclusive innovation ecosystem as it aims to join the world’s top one-third of innovation-driven economies by 2028, according to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev).
“We want to be in rank 43 by 2028. It’s attainable,” said DEPDev Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon during a briefing at the Crowne Plaza in Ortigas. “But more importantly, we want more Filipinos to understand what innovation truly means.”
The Philippines recently achieved its highest-ever position in the Global Innovation Index (GII), rising to 50th place out of 139 economies in 2025. This milestone places the country alongside other emerging middle-income innovators such as China, India, Indonesia, Türkiye, Vietnam, Iran, Albania, and Morocco—all of which have shown consistent improvement in the rankings since 2013.
DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan explained that the country’s progress reflects growing attention to key innovation enablers. “The Global Innovation Index measures various components—patents, research capacity, and most importantly, the ecosystem that supports innovation,” Balisacan said. “That’s what the National Innovation Council (NIC) is focusing on—ensuring that Filipino innovators thrive in an environment that allows their ideas and talents to reach their full potential.”
To further accelerate innovation, the government launched the Presidential Filipinnovation Awards, a national recognition program established through Executive Order 99 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on October 6, 2025. The awards aim to honor exceptional achievements in innovation and inspire greater participation across the public and private sectors.
This year’s competition highlights three priority areas: learning and education, food and agribusiness, and health and well-being. Twelve regional champions and three wildcard entries have advanced to the national finals, where five will be named Filipinnovator Awardees of the Year on November 6.
Each awardee will receive a post-competition support package worth up to P3.5 million, which includes mentoring, access to trade fairs, business-to-business networking opportunities, and investor linkages to help scale their innovations. Winners will also be given a Presidential Medallion, plaque, and trophy.
“The Presidential Filipinnovation Awards is a flagship initiative to build a dynamic and inclusive innovation ecosystem,” said Balisacan. “It embodies our vision of harnessing Filipino creativity and ingenuity to drive productivity, competitiveness, and sustainable growth. By strengthening collaboration between government, industry, and the academe, we are turning innovative ideas into real solutions that uplift lives and move the nation forward.”
