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Science Policy of the Philippines

Dr. Fortunato de la Pea


The secretary for the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) gave the class a
lecture last September 19, 2016 at the College of Science Auditorium on the topic of the
Science Policy under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. Dr. Fortunato dela
Pea gave us a glimpse of the current developments in the fields of Research and
Development and the current state of Science and Technology in the Philippines as well as
its roadmap.
One of the things he discussed is the mandate of the DOST which is to prioritize R&D and
S&T for national development and progress. While it heavily focuses on innovation in
technology and field researches, I just thought why it didn't pay attention so much on the
social sciences as compared to the natural sciences. Sure, natural science is fundamental in
understanding the basic laws of nature and while it is the basis of rising technologies,
societal discourse is as necessary in identifying our most immediate concerns.
The DOST is primarily involved in 4 of Pres. Rodrigo's 10-point economic agenda which are
to promote S&T, increase our competitiveness through R&D especially in disaster & risk
reduction management, promote rural and value chain development especially in the
countryside, and increase in human capital development through the increase in
technology-based industries. Dr. de la Pea also gave us an update on the current state of
the country's R&D, Technology Transfer, and lastly, the Industry.
During the talk itself, the secretary presented a lot of very specific updates and innovations
on the fields of R&D and Technology Transfers such as the Coconut Somatic
Embryogenesis, Abaca disease prevention, Tuklas Lunas, the Diwata microsatellite, the
Valley Fault System Atlas, RxBox, and the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrade Program
or SETUP. Personally, I believe that these are vital to our nation's development and
progress and it has the capacity to increase living standards here in the country whilst
making it globally competitive. Although I see this as beneficial, I have yet to see the
roadmap for the fields of R&D and S&T in the Philippines as a whole. The secretary, I
believe, has not discusses any form of budget allocation or the program it plans to create on
the present and future track of the country's R&D, S&T, and industry.
I felt the lack of information regarding on some of the concrete plans of the president as
well as DOST on how these government entities would perform in accordance to their
mandate. Unlike the previous administration, PNoy has extensively campaigned for the
improvement of the fields of science and technology in the Philippines through increased
budget allocation as well as programs geared to embroider R&D especially in the youth. As
far as the lecture's concerned, although we have seen what the government is working on
right now, I have yet to see how the government plans to bring the country's R&D and S&T
at the forefront of bringing world-class technology to the world leading to the nation's
progress.

Marionne D. Oliveros | 2012-24575 | STS WFW

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