VOLUME 19 NUMBER 1 (January to June 2026)

Foresight or failure: The cost of short-termism in Philippine research and innovation systems

The Philippines faces a critical challenge in aligning research and development (R&D) governance with an increasingly complex and uncertain global environment. Despite gains in research productivity and investment, current systems remain constrained by short-term planning cycles, fragmented agenda-setting, and output-driven performance metrics that limit their capacity to address long-term and systemic challenges. This commentary argues that such structural short-termism undermines innovation outcomes and impact and weakens national resilience, particularly in the context of climate vulnerability and accelerating technological change. Drawing on the concept of anticipatory governance, the paper highlights the need to shift from reactive, project-based approaches toward integrated, portfolio-driven investment systems that are programmatic, strategically coordinated, and impact-oriented. It outlines key governance transformations and proposes policy directions for embedding strategic foresight within national institutions. Strengthening foresight capabilities is presented as a pathway to enhance coordination, improve policy relevance, and improve future-readiness of innovation systems. The paper concludes that the transition from short-termism to anticipatory governance is essential for sustaining the long-term competitiveness and resilience in the Philippines.