A systematic analysis of how DOST Caraga's FY 2024–2025 project portfolio directly supports the eight-point socioeconomic agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., demonstrating the regional science and technology program's contribution to national development priorities.
The most extensively addressed PBBM point in DOST Caraga's portfolio is PBBM-03 (Ensure sound macroeconomy and accelerate economic recovery), with an estimated 94 projects — representing approximately 77 percent of the total portfolio — contributing to this agenda point. This overwhelmingly dominant alignment is entirely consistent with the portfolio's primary strategic orientation toward economic productivity, MSME modernization, enterprise technology upgrading, and income generation for Caraga's working population.
The alignment with PBBM-03 reflects DOST Caraga's role as an economic development agency at the regional level: virtually every SETUP project that funds equipment modernization for a food processor, metal fabricator, or agricultural enterprise contributes directly to the macroeconomy through increased output, tax base expansion, and employment retention. LGIA programs that establish food innovation centers, agri-business incubators, and technology transfer platforms similarly serve the economic recovery mandate by creating the institutional infrastructure for sustained productivity growth.
PBBM-05 (Invest in education, upskilling, and innovation) is the second most-aligned agenda point, with approximately 73 projects tagged to this priority. This high alignment reflects the systemic nature of DOST Caraga's innovation support — programs such as the RDI Center support, IGNITE, TechConnect, GRIND (Grassroots Innovation), the Science and Technology Week celebrations, and the iHUB and iMAKE networks all contribute directly to building human capital, scientific literacy, and entrepreneurial competencies across the region.
The alignment with PBBM-05 is particularly strong among LGIA and CEST programs, which inherently involve capacity building, training, and knowledge transfer as core program components. The Food Innovation Centers, for example, simultaneously produce new food technologies (PBBM-03) while training food entrepreneurs in product development and quality management (PBBM-05).
PBBM-07 (Promote climate resilience and sustainable development) is addressed by approximately 41 projects, reflecting a significant and growing emphasis on environmental sustainability within the DOST Caraga portfolio. This alignment is particularly evident in CEST and SSCP programs — Project FARM (smart agro-innovation with climate-smart farming protocols), Project CLEANEST (ecological solutions for communities), the WISE Dinagat waste innovation program, and the OASIS food security project in Dinagat Islands all directly address climate-related vulnerabilities.
Among SETUP projects, the growing incorporation of renewable energy systems — solar panels for food processing, refrigeration, and commercial operations — represents a direct contribution to PBBM-07 objectives while simultaneously serving PBBM-03 economic recovery goals through energy cost reduction.
PBBM-08 (Ensure food security and modernize agriculture) is addressed by approximately 36 projects, primarily within the Fishery and Agroforestry sector focus of the portfolio. Key contributing programs include the SARAI Plus Project (precision agriculture and weather forecasting), the multiple Food Innovation Centers, the Caulerpa farming program in Bislig City, the CAMANTING cassava project in Dinagat Islands, the sago flour product development program, and the rice mill modernization projects under SETUP. The ASCEND and FASST CARAGA programs in FY 2025 further strengthen the food security alignment through improved food safety testing, quality assurance, and new product commercialization.
Two PBBM points are notably underrepresented in the FY 2024–2025 portfolio. PBBM-01 (Protect the purchasing power of families) is addressed by only two projects — the GRIND program and the iFWD PH initiative — suggesting that direct consumer welfare and price stabilization interventions are not a primary mode of DOST delivery, though the portfolio's food security and productivity programs have indirect purchasing power implications. PBBM-02 (Reduce vulnerability from the COVID-19 pandemic) is addressed by only a single project, consistent with the post-pandemic normalization of most economic activities.
Similarly, PBBM-06 (Improve healthcare system) is represented by only two projects — one of which is the CHIME research center at CSU — indicating that health technology innovation, while addressed at the R&D infrastructure level, has not yet generated significant project-level delivery under the current portfolio. This gap presents an opportunity for future programming to bridge DOST Caraga's R&D capabilities with healthcare delivery challenges, particularly for indigenous and remote communities.