That the country has some very pressing development problems is not a revelation. However, that some influential Filipinos abroad are helping lay down solutions to these problems is.

Specifically, a group of Filipinos from both sides of the Pacific is being shepherded by the US arm of the Ayala Foundation to frame a program of action that will help the country regain its footing after years of neglect that saw its competitiveness drop vis-a-vis its neighbors.

Called the Philippine Development Forum, Ayala Foundation USA will convene this gathering on Sept. 25, 2010 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, California?the heart of Silicon Valley and home to some entrepreneurial Filipinos?to bring together Filipino and Filipino-American thought leaders.

According to Ayala Foundation USA president Victoria Garchitorena, the movement aims to tap the intellect and resources of Filipino-Americans to support outstanding development projects in the Philippines.

The forum also heralds the transformation of Ayala Foundation USA into the Philippine Development Foundation USA (PhilDevUSA) which is a more ?mature, independent institution that will better reflect the richness of the Filipino diaspora community in its adopted land,? its officials said in a recent briefing.

Filipino-Americans are the second largest Asian-American group with a population estimated at 4 million, or 1.5 percent of the US population.

For the past ten years, with the support of thousands of Filipinos, ?friends of the Philippines?, corporations and foundations, Ayala Foundation USA has been able to mobilize a total of $8.3 million, supporting about 140 nonprofit organizations in the Philippines.

The group has touched the lives of millions of underprivileged Filipinos?children, the youth, elderly, homeless, illiterate, sick, abused and forgotten.

The Philippine Development Forum will address the needs and potential of the Philippines? scientific and technological resources, specifically opportunities in science and engineering education, as well as in technology-based industries, such as semiconductors, and the fields of computing and telecommunications.

The foundation is inviting successful professionals in the academe, government, industry, venture capital and business to serve as resource speakers and lead an active discussion to help formulate strategic policies and programs for immediate and long-term results.

?We bring together all at one time, in one place, representatives from academe because training and education are critical for achieving global competitiveness,? Ayala Foundation USA chair Diosdado Banato said.

He added that the group would also invite representatives from government because national policies and budget allocations are needed to support science and technology programs. Business leaders are also crucial to the group?s efforts since they will coordinate closely with government in implementing these programs.

?We envision all three sectors?the academe, government and the private sector?working together on this technology initiative to build economic strength and to ultimately alleviate poverty in our homeland,? Banato said.

President Aquino has been invited as keynote speaker for the event. He will be joined by other speakers who will exchange ideas to improve the country?s condition. Speakers include University of the Philippine economics professor Dr. Felipe Medalla, UP College of Engineering dean Rowena Guevara, Integrated Microelectronics Inc. president and CEO Arthur Tan, venture capitalist Winston Damarillo of G2IX, Internet entrepreneur Sheila Lirio Marcelo of Care.com, and Fernando Zobel de Ayala of Ayala Corp.

The group?s list of honorary chairs include San Francisco, California Mayor Gavin Newsom, Jaime and Bea Zobel de Ayala, Ken and Josie Natori, Antonio and Gail Alvarez, Ambassador Romeo and Mrs. Arguelles, and Lea Salonga.

The forum will be followed by a gala event to honor outstanding achievers in the fields of science and technology and science education, and to celebrate Filipino-American talent.