Knowledge-building and poverty reduction

The article “Investing in suprastructure,” authored by E. M. Pernia, R. L. Clarete and G. P. Padilla Concepcion (Talk of the Town, 9/3/14), was timely and appropriate. It highlighted our country’s deficit in “suprastructure,” which the authors defined as “knowledge capital for innovation capacity.” The deficit has been the result of inadequate spending on science and technology (S&T) and research and development (R&D), the development of which is imperative if we must advance knowledge and technology capital that’s required for our country’s competitiveness and sustained economic growth.

The article made clear right at the outset that investing in “suprastructure” is not the be-all-and-end-all of our country’s development strategy as we also have a huge physical infrastructure deficit (e.g., in transport, power and water). Moreover, there are other areas that need much attention, such as basic education and healthcare, labor market efficiency, disaster risk management and environment. In short, the focus of the article on knowledge capital for innovation cannot and should not be misconstrued as ignoring or not taking cognizance of these and other areas of concern.

Our country’s leaders and policymakers should be made aware of the critical importance of strengthening our knowledge capital to enable us to technologically innovate toward introducing and adopting new processes, products and markets for economic progress and inclusive development. To this end, there is also a need to foster government-university-industry partnerships. On these scores, it is a fact that we have fallen well behind our Asean neighbors. We have a lot of catching up to do, and developing knowledge capital takes a long time.

The urgency of investing in “suprastructure” is not necessarily tied to the AEC’s (Asean Economic Community’s) end-2015 date. Of course, everyone knows that the AEC’s goal or “dream” of integration will not be blown in by the wind on Jan. 1, 2016 morning following the New Year’s Eve revelry. Integration will be a long slog. But the end-2015 date must serve as a spur to make the necessary preparations so that our country can optimize whatever gains could be obtained from Asean integration, in particular, and globalization in general, while effectively minimizing, to the extent practicable, the associated costs.

The article, “Can ‘elite scientists’ save PH?” by Eduardo C. Tadem, Ramon G. Guillermo, Maria Victoria R. Raquiza and Nicolo del Castillo (Talk of the Town, 9/7/14), seemed to miss the main point and key messages of “Investing in suprastructure.” Tadem and company’s piece seemed to suggest that “Investing” was insensitive to the issues of basic needs, poverty and inclusive growth, and that it was too concerned about the AEC becoming full-blown by end-2015. Building knowledge capital and reducing poverty can be mutually beneficial. They need not exclude each other!

Sans the misunderstanding by their critics, both articles can and should be reconciled in the national interest.

—LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE SR.,

Alternative Policy Development Group,

former governor and congressman

(third district), Camarines Sur