The 'Smarter Philippines' program is introduced as a solution to trials and worsening living conditions, aiming to establish and sustain an exemplary society using science, technology, and solidarity to address and resolve Filipino hardships, leading to added efficiencies, lowered costs, and overall development.

The Smarter Philippines program was launched on November 22, 2012, in Santa Rosa, Laguna, following consultations with Science Secretary Mario G. Montejo. Its vision is to create a vibrant domestic knowledge economy where Filipino technology companies and technopreneurs develop indigenous technologies to solve common problems faced by Filipinos.

The program has six components that build the foundation for a better society, with projects under smarter governance, people, economies, environment, and living. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) focuses on four priority areas for S&T interventions: climate change adaptation, poverty alleviation, social services, and industry competitiveness.

Through linkages, consultation, and resource sharing, DOST aims to go the 'smarter way' by finding better methods, effective solutions, and improving lives across government, economy, and the environment. This leads to a systematic, stronger, and more efficient Smarter Philippines.