Leaders in science push cross-sector collaboration, ethical research towards sustainable development
Amid growing global and national challenges, leaders in science are calling on Filipino researchers to prioritize needs-responsive and ethical research while leveraging cross-sector collaboration to advance the country’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By promoting transdisciplinary approaches, the Department of Science and Technology–National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) ensures that its research efforts align with both national priorities and the needs of communities across the country.
The emphasis on ethical research and strengthened collaboration was highlighted during the 2026 Annual Scientific Conference (ASC) and 93rd General Membership Assembly (GMA) of the DOST-NRCP, held on March 13, 2026, at the Philippine International Conference Center in Pasay City.
The conference’s focus aligns from the Department’s effort to strengthen its role in addressing interconnected development challenges, where research-driven solutions are seen as a crucial contribution to long-term sustainability and inclusive growth.
DOST and NRCP leaders emphasized that research must not only generate knowledge and spur innovation but also produce practical outputs that benefit communities and inform public policy.
DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. underscored that transdisciplinary research strengthens, rather than replaces, academic disciplines.
“If we truly want to make progress, we cannot remain confined within rigid disciplinary boundaries,” Solidum said. The integration of expertise across fields, as the Secretary noted, enables more responsive solutions to complex local and national challenges.
He also noted that the NRCP’s 13 scientific divisions are positioned to bridge scientific knowledge with timely applications, such as in areas supporting responsive governance, regional development, environmental sustainability, and disaster risk management, among others.
Building on this vision, NRCP President Dr. Ma. Louise Antonette De las Peñas emphasized that collaborative research must be anchored in strong ethical standards to ensure solutions remain accountable and socially beneficial.
“Ethical and transdisciplinary research is reshaping how we define problems and deliver scalable solutions,” she said.
NRCP Executive Director Dr. Bernardo N. Sepeda further highlighted that grounding research in community realities is essential for achieving meaningful impact.
“Engaging stakeholders ensures research reflects on-the-ground realities and responds to community needs,” Sepeda said.
Panel discussions, guided by the theme “Transdisciplinary Capacity Building and Ethical Research towards a Progressive, Unified, and SDG-Driven Nation,” explored how collaborative and ethical research can strengthen responsive research, evidence-based policymaking, and public trust in science.
NRCP members Dr. Fidel R. Nemenzo, Dr. Ma. Lourdes G. Rebuilda, and Dr. Agnes C. Rola shared examples of how linking scientific research with policymaking can address development gaps, particularly by aligning academic outputs with government priorities and community needs.
Representatives from partner institutions also shared the importance of inclusive knowledge generation and innovation. Dr. Rosalind L. Wee of the W Group of Companies emphasized that integrating indigenous knowledge systems with science and technology can produce culturally appropriate and sustainable solutions. Meanwhile, Dr. Marita V. T. Reyes of the National Ethics Committee (NEC) stressed that ethical accountability in research is essential for responsible resource use and long-term societal benefit.
Complementing the panel discussions were scientific sessions and research posters presenting field-based studies from selected researchers and partner institutions. These presentations further illustrated how transdisciplinary approaches are applied in education, environmental management, and community development.
Nearly 1,800 participants from NRCP divisions and partner institutions attended the conference and assembly. (Rose Dagupen // S&T Media Services)
