Manila, July 14 -- State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) must play a bigger role in transforming research into real-world solutions that create jobs and better lives for Filipinos, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said.

In a statement Tuesday, DEPDev said Secretary Arsenio Balisacan called SUCs one of the country's greatest assets during his speech at the 2026 Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Annual Convention and General Assembly.

"Our universities continue to produce talented graduates and excellent researchers, but many still work under resource constraints that limit what they can accomplish," he said.

Balisacan said SUCs are at the center of the nation's efforts to de...