Duterte reassures support to science, R&D

By Stephanie Tumampos July 16, 2017

The Duterte administration gave reassurance of its commitment to the science, technology and
innovation sector. This was established in the big increase in the budget of the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) this year.

In a speech by President Duterte, delivered by Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno during the
opening of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) 2017, he said the DOST’s
budget has quadrupled in the last seven years “from P5 billion in 2010 to P20.8 billion in 2017.”

The department’s role in providing science and its benefits to the people has, indeed, broadened
by aiding Filipinos both in research and entrepreneurial ventures, where science, technology and
innovation can be applied, he said.

“Meanwhile, the budget for research and development [R&D] grew by nearly six times over the
same period of time, from P1 billion in 2009 to P5.8 billion in 2017,” Duterte said in the speech at
the NSTW held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on July 11.

The President also noted that the national government has been able to set an organized
management of scientific activities, such as formulating programs and policies that help shape
the country.

“I am pleased that over the last few years, the science department and the country’s S&T base
have become more outward-oriented and attentive to the growing needs of its constituents and
stakeholders while keeping their ears close to the ground, paying close attention to the latest
trends, developments and issues that affect both the domestic front and the global community,”
he said.

‘Science for the People’

Meanwhile, Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña said in his speech at the same event, “It is
time to reacquaint the nation with the very reason we pursue science, technology and innovation:
for the benefit of the Filipino people.” The 2017 NSTW celebration is focused on the theme
“Science for the People”.

As Duterte has said in his 10-point economic agenda that S&T must create an avenue for
development in various sectors, such as in economy, de la Peña highlighted that the fruits of
science “should ultimately reward the society and the people to which we belong”.

Technology transfer and commercialization of R&D results is one of the focus of the DOST. With
this, the department has shifted 10 percent of its overall budget to technology transfer.

“The result was we were able to generate 1,000 new intellectual properties in just one year that
can be adopted and harnessed toward the good of our constituents,” de la Peña said.
Duterte also lauded the DOST for putting top priority to technologies and services that push the
national agenda to spread economic growth throughout the country, citing the department’s great
potential in alleviating social and economic conditions of Filipinos.

“I have constantly reminded everyone in the government that I want to see a hastened
development of our regions,” Duterte said. “This is a good way of reducing inequality, which we
observe development-wise and income-wise.”

Addressing certain perceptions in science, he said S&T will not automatically make everything
better. “S&T developments and research outputs will be positive contributions only if they will be
utilized to the maximum,

whether by industry and business, by government agencies, by community, or by education

sector,” he said.

Space program

Besides the basic and applied research, Duterte’s speech specifically expressed the current
administration’s support to the Philippine Space Technology Program. “This makes official the
country’s entry into the frontiers of space,” he said, adding that the country needs to boldly move
and catch up with the industrialized world, “in every measure of scientific and technological
proficiency”. With a 2017 budget of nearly P150 million, de la Peña, in an interview with the
Business Mirror, said manpower for this sector needs more investment.

It should be noted that the Diwata-1 satellite, which was launched in 2016 and finally put the
country’s flag in space, was made by Filipino scientists that were sent to Japan by the DOST.

The Diwata-2, which will be launched in 2018, has improved capabilities to better monitor the
country. It is being made by another batch of Filipino scientists and engineers, creating a pool for
this industry.

International communities have also been interested in the planned space program. During the
President’s visit to Russia, de la Peña, who was with the entourage, visited Moscow’s space
agency.

“The Russian government has expressed to us its interest in helping the country in terms of
space,” he told the Business Mirror. “They [Russia] said that if we are serious with our [space]
program, they are willing to help develop our R&D program.” A memorandum of agreement for
the cooperation between Russia and the Philippines is seen to materialize soon.

Also, the investment for space will not be for naught in the economic sector. De la Peña said,
“There is an industrial component when we invest in space technology.” Manufacturing hardware
components for space technology can be one economic venture the Philippines can do.

“We can even go into the commercialization of satellites,” he said. “Of course, that is a long shot
but we have to start somewhere.”

Most important, de la Peña noted that space technologies must be utilized also in other sectors,
such as in agriculture and disaster preparedness. “We have to make use of the technology in
monitoring our agricultural crops or preparing for disasters.”

Reading #2 : Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 Overall Framework

The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 is the first medium-term plan anchored on
the AmBisyon Natin 2040, consistent with Executive Order No. 5, s. 2016. The priorities are
guided by the Duterte Administration’s 0 to10-point Socioeconomic Agenda, the regional
consultations conducted by the various planning committees, and the social development
summits that culminated in the 20@22 Agenda: Malasakit at Pagbabago.

The goal of the PDP 2017-2022 is to enable Filipinos to attain a matatag, maginhawa at panatag
na buhay. It acknowledges the accomplishments of the previous administrations, adopts the good
practices and carefully considers the lessons gleaned from these experiences.

Assessment and Challenges

The performance of the economy during the past administration, though impressive, actually fell
short of the targets set in the PDP 2011-2016. In contrast, those pertaining to the social
dimension – reducing

poverty incidence and unemployment rate – surpassed the target. The target to significantly
reduce underemployment, however, remains elusive.
The country’s gross domestic product grew at an average of 6.1 percent during the period 2010-
2016, the fastest 6-year moving average since 1978, although this was still below target. The
2014 below-par performance of 6.2 percent growth rate could be explained as due to typhoon
(TY) Yolanda. The slowdown in 2015 largely reflected in the Industry sector was, perhaps, due to
capacity constraints in major roads, ports and airports, as well as government underspending.
The poor performance of Agriculture, meanwhile, can be traced to extreme weather events
experienced by the country across the spectrum – tropical cyclones, El Niño-induced drought –
and pest infestation. Worse, output in the fishery subsector suffered consecutive declines for six
out of the past seven years, except in 2013.

The more serious criticism against the Philippines’ growth profile is the stark inequality in
development. As illustrated in Figure 4.1, the per capita Gross Regional Domestic Product
(GRDP) in the National Capital Region is not only the highest, but is more than twice that in
CALABARZON (Region 4A), second highest per capita GRDP and more than twelve times that in
the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (lowest

per capita GRDP).

The unemployment rate targets were surpassed. This was achieved by the dramatic reduction in
the youth unemployment rate, from 16.6 in 2010 to 11.6 in 2016. Apart from the increased labor
demand in support of economic growth, a big factor was the expansion of the Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) to the secondary level and, beginning 2016, the
implementation of the senior high school program, which increased school participation (and,
therefore, reduced labor market participation) of those aged 15 to 17 years.

The underemployment rate, however, remained high. Despite the poor economic performance of
agriculture, it continues to account for a significant share of employment – close to 30 percent.
But the jobs available were seasonal and low-paying, hence, underemployment in the agriculture
sector was about 25 percent, compared to 20 percent in industry and close to 15 percent in
services.

The target to reduce poverty incidence was also met. From a baseline of 26.3 percent poverty
incidence in 2009, the target was to reduce this to 22.5 percent in 2015 but the actual rate was
21.6 percent. This was due to the 82 percent increase in per capita income among the bottom
three deciles, which was much higher than the 29 percent increase in the poverty line.
Subsistence incidence also declined from 10.9 percent of individuals in 2009 to 8.1 percent in
2015.
A major factor that resulted in the significant decline in poverty rate is the expansion of Pantawid
Pamilya. Pantawid Pamilya provided cash transfers to family beneficiaries conditional on the
attendance in school of child members and in Family Development Sessions of parent/s and the
healthcare seeking behavior of families. In fact, the decline in poverty incidence would have been
more pronounced had individuals and families been more resilient, and the economic sectors
more prepared to withstand natural and human- induced shocks, or at least able to recover
quickly from the shocks. Food inflation, though generally tame throughout the period 2010- 2015,
rose to at least 7 percent from June to October of 2014 due to the lingering effects of TY Yolanda,
which was made worse by the decision to restrict rice imports in mid- 2013. This situation proved
very detrimental to the poor given that a sizable share of their budget goes to food, particularly
rice.

Viewed from the perspective of the average citizen, however, the recent progress made in the
economy and governance offers no immediate relief from the grind of daily living. There is a
prevailing sense among significant sections of the population – the farming communities that
must deal with drought and typhoons, the rural folk who have no access to health and other social
services, the urban poor who have to put up with the congestion and the neighborhood bullies,
the minimum wage earners and middle-level professionals who must spend time in traffic
travelling to and from work, the fresh college graduates as well as the credit- constrained small
entrepreneurs whose time and energies are exhausted going through the bureaucratic maze to
obtain clearances, the aggrieved ordinary citizen with no access to the authorities to obtain
redress for substandard service – that either too little is being done or they have been completely
bypassed by government. This situation, where citizens feel increasingly alienated from their
government, cannot be allowed to persist. Otherwise the door is opened for opportunists
promising quick fixes that could only lead to far worse outcomes.

That many aspects of people’s welfare are in fact only weakly reflected in earned incomes1
should underscore the urgency of paying attention to outcomes in gauging the success of
government actions. Although sustaining the momentum of economic growth must remain a key
objective, the real measure of achievement is the extent to which people’s lives have been
improved.
Strategic Framework

By the end of 2022, more Filipinos will be closer to achieving their AmBisyon to have a “matatag,
maginhawa at panatag na buhay.” The Administration will lay down a solid foundation for more
inclusive growth, a high-trust and resilient society, and a globally competitive knowledge
economy.

Targets
 The Philippines will be an upper middle income country by 2022. In the medium- term,
GDP growth is expected to strengthen further to 7-8 percent, in real terms. This means that the
economy will expand by about 50 percent by 2022 from its base in 2016. Per capita income will
increase from USD 3,550 in 2015 to at least USD 5,000 in 2022.2

Growth will be more inclusive as manifested by a lower poverty incidence in the rural areas, from
30 percent in 2015 to 20 percent in 2022. Overall poverty rate will decline from 21.6 percent to
14.0 percent in 2022 – equivalent to lifting about 6 million Filipinos out of poverty. The proportion
of subsistence poor individuals will fall from

8.1 percent to 5.0 percent. Food inflation will also be closely monitored, to serve as an early
warning indicator on the welfare of the poor. It should not go beyond the bounds set for overall
inflation, which is at 2 to 4 percent.
 The Philippines will have a high level of human development
by 2022.3 This will be supported by improvements in education and health outcomes and the
significant increase in incomes indicated above.

The unemployment rate will decline from the current 5.5 percent to 3-5 percent in 2022.
Assuming a slight increase in labor force participation rate to 64.1 percent, this implies that
950,000 to 1.1 million new jobs will be generated per year. Youth unemployment rate will decline
to about 8 percent from the current 11 percent4. In areas outside NCR (AONCR), emphasis will
be on improving the quality of employment. The underemployment rate in AONCR will be
reduced to 16-18 percent by 2022.

There will be greater trust in government and in society. The indicators for this will need to be
developed and then measured by the Philippine Statistics Authority for 2017 and 2022.

Individuals and communities will be more resilient. It should be noted that the Philippines ranks
fourth in terms of number of natural calamities faced in 1995-20155. This is on top of risks from
human-induced hazards like ideologically- motivated conflict, criminality, house fires, etc. Building
up resilience involves reducing exposure to hazards, mitigating the impact of the risks, and
accelerating recovery if and when the risk materializes. An index will be developed, considering
the interplay of these three components; data will be collected to estimate the baseline (2018)
value and the value in 2022.

Filipinos will have greater drive for innovation. As measured by the Global Innovation Index, the
Philippines will rank among the top one-third by 2022 from being in the top 60 percentile (74 out
of 128 economies) in 2016. More individuals will be encouraged to obtain knowledge, or acquire
skills and expertise. There will be more of the youth and adults (aged 15 and up) who will be
engaged in employment, education or training.

Strategies

The strategies to achieve the targets cited above fall under the three major pillars of “Malasakit,”
“Pagbabago,” and “Patuloy na Pag-unlad”. There are cross-cutting strategies, as well, to support
the other interventions and to provide a solid bedrock for all strategies to work.

Figure 4.2. PDP 2017-2022 Overall Strategic Framework

Enhancing the social fabric: The aim is to regain peoples’ trust in public institutions and
cultivate trust in fellow Filipinos.

Public offices will be characterized as people- centered, efficient and clean (Chapter 5).
Government offices will be equipped with adequate facilities, personnel will be trained and
systems will be improved to ensure the prompt delivery of services. Citizens will be also
empowered to engage with the government.

Administration of justice will be perceived as swift and fair (Chapter 6). From a fragmented mode
of delivering justice, a “sector approach” will be adopted. Processes -- from lodging of complaints
to investigation, prosecution, and conviction -- will be streamlined and harmonized across the
different agencies in the executive and judiciary branches of government. Systems to exact
accountability (including indicators of efficiency) will be put in place.

Filipinos will have increased awareness of and will learn to value the country’s cultural diversity
and shared heritage (Chapter 7). Existing traditions will be meticulously documented and
archived in Knowledge Development Centers and Institutes of Living Traditions to be established
across the country. Heritage conservation plans will be formulated and implemented. Cultural
education will be mainstreamed in basic and higher education.

Values for the common good, to include “malasakit” values, will be promoted using several media
and integrated in school curricula. Personnel in government will also be taught about these
values and how these will be demonstrated in public service.

“Pagka-malikhain” for development is another value that will be advanced under the PDP 2017-
2022. This will include building awareness and appreciation for the arts, and then promoting
creative excellence.

Inequality-reducing Transformation: Ordinary Filipinos will feel the “Pagbabago”.

For each economic sector, there will be more opportunities for growth of output and income, and
sub- sectors and economic groups that used to lag behind, like small farmers and fisherfolk and
MSMEs, will benefit from these opportunities (Chapters 8 and 9).

Opportunities in agriculture will be expanded by fostering linkages with the industry and service
sectors for more efficient value-adding processes and more effective commercialization. For this
to happen, productivity in agriculture will need to be raised. This will be done by first developing
an integrated agricultural map to identify the comparative advantage of particular areas. Then,
collaboration between and among the science, technology and extension systems in agriculture
will be strengthened. Greater farm mechanization and technology adoption will be promoted.
Organized farm management will be encouraged to achieve economies of scale. Climate-resilient
small-scale irrigation systems will be constructed or retrofitted, as necessary.

The governance framework for fisheries management will be improved to make it effective. This
includes, though is not limited to, undertaking regular fish stock inventory, strictly enforcing
measures against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and regulating fishery structures.
As with agriculture, the fishery subsector will also benefit from stronger linkages with the industry
and service sectors for value-adding, packaging, storage, transport, distribution and marketing,
and even financing.

The industry and service sectors will be globally competitive as the country strengthens its
economic ties with other countries. Domestic suppliers, including MSMEs, will be encouraged to
maximize the benefits of existing free trade agreements and other cooperative arrangements.

Increasing presence in the global market, supply and value chains will be made more efficient
with stronger forward and backward linkages. This will require a dependable supply of raw
materials, adequate labor and technology, and the presence of suitable soft and hard
infrastructure.

Inclusive business models and social enterprises will be developed to better engage MSMEs.

MSMEs will enjoy easier access to finance. At the same time, financial literacy training will be
provided to MSMEs, cooperatives, and to Overseas Filipinos and their families.

Restrictions on foreign investments will be eased and bureaucratic processes for both local and
foreign investors will be streamlined.

Individuals and people groups will have more options to develop their full potential as aimed for.
(Chapter 10).
 Nutritional and health status will be improved by ensuring access to proper care at
all life stages. Health financing programs will be sustained.

Lifelong learning opportunities will be made available to all. Government will invest in soft and
hard infrastructure for basic education to make the facilities more accessible and the curriculum
more relevant. Quality of higher and technical education will be improved so that they produce
competent and highly nimble individuals and workforce.

Policies and programs will be put in place to increase the income-earning ability of individuals.
These include apprenticeship and internship programs, opportunities for re-tooling and skills
enhancement, and policies to promote work-life balance and ensure that workers receive decent
wages.

Vulnerability of individuals will be reduced (Chapter 11). Some individuals and people groups
have inherent vulnerabilities, like children, older persons, women, persons with disabilities, and
indigenous peoples. Policies and programs will be put in place to ensure that their social, cultural
and economic rights are protected and that they are eventually empowered to participate in the
development of the country. There will also be programs to help ensure the well- being of
individuals and families against economic risks, natural and human-induced hazards.


Communities will be more resilient (Chapter 12). The housing program of the Duterte
Administration will be in line with the new urban agenda of developing integrated neighborhoods
and sustainable communities. Innovative solutions to housing construction will be encouraged
and alternative modes of financing will be developed to improve the access of families to decent
housing. Community relations will be strengthened and community organizations will be
empowered to engage with government in ensuring the safety, security, and development of their
communities.
Increasing potential growth: It is imperative that economic growth is accelerated and
sustained for

“Patuloy na Pag-unlad.” A major strategy to sustain and further accelerate growth in the future is
by graduating to a knowledge economy (Chapter 14). Science, technology and innovation (STI) in
agriculture, industry and service sectors will be promoted and even accelerated. Policies and
programs to facilitate knowledge flows and protect intellectual property rights will be put in place
or enhanced. A culture of creativity will be created, beginning with the very young students in
basic education and all through higher and technical education. Innovation hubs will be
established as a way of providing venues to nurture creativity and innovation.

Potential growth can be further enhanced by accelerating the full harvest of the demographic
dividend (Chapter 13). There will be aggressive efforts to ensure that families will be of the size
that they can adequately care and provide for. Age- appropriate sexuality education will be
integrated in the school curriculum. Full information and orientation programs on responsible
parenthood and reproductive health will be made widely available. Access to services will also be
made easier in order to fully meet the need for modern family planning methods. This will be
complemented by measures to increase the labor market participation of women, to defer
childbearing and attain wholesome birth spacing (Chapter 14).

Enabling and supportive economic environment. Growth will be supported by maintaining

macroeconomic stability, putting in place a strategic trade and fiscal policy, and enhancing
access to financial services. The tax system, including its administration, will be made simpler,
fairer, more equitable and internationally competitive (Chapter 15).

Market competition will be enhanced (Chapter 16). There will be broad-based communication and
advocacy efforts to increase awareness about the benefits of market competition. Reporting and
feedback mechanisms will also be developed through which consumers can report on anti-
competitive behavior and practices of firms. At the same time, government policies and
regulations will be reviewed to ensure competition-neutrality.

Foundations for sustainable development. The physical environment, on the other hand, will
be characterized by a balanced and strategic development of infrastructure, while ensuring
ecological integrity and a clean and healthy environment.

The next six years will be characterized as the “golden age of infrastructure” in the Philippines
(Chapter 19). Spending on infrastructure will increase to at least 5 percent of GDP from less than
3 percent previously. The program will be rationalized based on strategic masterplans effecting
inter-regional connectivity and integrated province-level plans, some of which will be developed
and some updated. There will be greater complementation of the different modes of financing
infrastructure projects – locally-funded, foreign assisted, and projects under public-private
partnership.

Implementation of the infrastructure program will be fast-tracked by adopting a 24/7 work

schedule for major infrastructure projects. Other issues will be addressed by better governance,
policy and regulatory reforms such as the creation of an apex body to coordinate efforts in the
water resource sector, ensuring availability of right-of-way, and streamlining processes in the
issuance of permits necessary to implement the projects.

All these will be underpinned by ensuring national security against internal and external threats
(Chapter 17). There will be earnest efforts to secure lasting peace through the resumption of
peace talks and pursuing social justice. Agreements to resolve the conflict will be negotiated and
implemented. Communities in the conflict- affected and conflict-vulnerable areas will be protected
and developed. Government peace and development institutions will be strengthened to make
them more responsive to peace, conflict and security issues.

Territorial integrity and sovereignty will be upheld and protected (Chapter 18). This will be
achieved by strategic diplomacy and by continuously upgrading our defense capability.
Government will strengthen bilateral relations, alliances and mutually- beneficial partnerships,
ensure a strong presence in regional and multilateral forums, and develop new security and
cooperation arrangements. The capability of the military, including law enforcers in terms of
facilities, equipment and skills will be enhanced to protect our strategic interests and to effectively
implement laws and policies.

A top priority of the Duterte Administration is the reduction of all forms of criminal acts and illegal
drugs. This will be done through a holistic program that involves not only combatting crimes but
also the corruption that perpetuate such acts (Chapter 19). The approach will be comprehensive
and will include information and education campaigns, community organization and mobilization,
and police-community partnerships to ensure public order and safety.

An important partner of development is the environment and natural resources (ENR) sector. Its
contribution should be properly recognized, to wit: provisioning (e.g., food, raw materials,
freshwater), regulating (e.g., local climate and air quality, carbon sequestration and storage,
erosion prevention), supporting (e.g., habitats for species, maintenance of genetic diversity)

and cultural (e.g., recreation, tourism). However, improper use and abuse of ENR greatly
diminishes the quantity and quality of its contribution to development and, if left unchecked for
some time, can result in the deterioration of the quality of life of the people it serves.

The PDP 2017-2022 contains strategies to rehabilitate and restore degraded natural resources,
and protect fragile ecosystems. Even in urban areas, green spaces will be expanded. At the
same time, there will be programs to improve the welfare of resource- dependent communities as
they take on the role of primary stewards of the ENR (Chapter 20). The interventions will be
designed following a ridge-to-reef approach and a sustainable area development framework so
that the interdependence of the different ecosystems are considered. Policies to define property
and usufruct rights will be put in place so that responsibilities for care and management of the
ENR are identified.
Migration and development. The PDP 2017-2022 gives attention to the special circumstances
of OFs and their families, and aims to empower OFs toward inclusive and sustainable
development. The objectives are to protect their rights and improve their well-being, whether here
or abroad; to strengthen their engagement in governance; and to facilitate their participation in
our country’s development and ensure their smooth reintegration in Philippine society. The
appropriate strategies are discussed in the relevant chapters of the PDP.

The next chapters are structured similar to this overview chapter. Each chapter begins with an
assessment of previous accomplishments and the lessons learned. This is followed by an
enumeration of the medium- term targets, all directed to the attainment of the 0-10
Socioeconomic Agenda and towards AmBisyon Natin 2040. The strategies to meet these targets
are then elaborated next.

Reading # 3: 5 Filipinos break into top 100 Asian scientists list

Five Filipinos were included in the maiden “Asian Scientists 100” list released recently by The
Asian Scientist magazine.

Leading the Filipino scientists on the list is National Scientist Ramon Cabanos Barba, a
horticulturist known for devising a way for mango trees to produce flowers regardless of season,
which paved the way for the development of the country’s mango industry.
 Barba ranked third
on the list.

Three other Filipino scientists were included in the top 10: National Scientist Angel Alcala (7 th
place), National Scientist Edgardo Gomez (9thplace), and Project NOAH director Mahar Lagmay
(10th place).

Alcala was hailed for his research on Philippine amphibians and reptiles, while Gomez was
recognized for leading the world’s first national-scale assessment of damage to coral reefs.
Lagmay was lauded for leading Project NOAH, the science and technology department’s program
on disaster risk reduction and management.

National Scientist Gavino Cajulao Trono Jr. ranked 12th. He is recognized for his study on
tropical marine phycology.

“The 100 distinguished scientists, innovators and leaders on this annual list come from diverse
fields, ranging from the biomedical sciences to mathematics and geology. Together, they weave a
rich tapestry of science and technology and provide inspiration and hope to many people around
the world,” the magazine said.

To be included on the list the honoree must satisfy the following requisites: he must have
received a national or international prize in 2014 or 2015 for his or her research, the prize should
have been subjected to a

competitive vetting process and the honoree “could have made a significant contribution in
scientific discovery or leadership that has benefited either academia or industry.” JE/rga

Reading # 4: Lady scientist leads pioneering method to revive Marinduque’s mining

wastelands Published December 7, 2017, 3:03 PM By Martin Sadongdong

A female scientist’s efforts to revive the degraded and abandoned mining sites in Marinduque
have shown promising results through a new method of bioremediation she developed, the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said.

Bioremediation, touted by scientists as a biological response to environmental abuse, uses

microorganisms to clean up contaminated sites.
It is normally employed to address environmental pollution caused by heavy and toxic metals
through mining and other metallurgical processes.

Dr. Nelly Aggangan, a University of the Philippines (UP) Los Banos-based researcher of the
National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP), developed new bioremediation
protocols and used it to restore a part of the 32-hectare mined dumpsite in Mogpog, Marinduque.

Promising growth

The soil in the area was already considered as nutrient-depleted but Aggangan said trees such
as narra, acacia, and eucalyptus showed “healthy growth in degraded land soil with the help of
beneficial fungi and bacteria that strengthen plant tolerance to high acidity and heavy metals
present in the soil.”

“Tree species, especially those that are not native in the country may differ in growth
performance, nutrient requirement and tolerance to soil acidity so it is important to establish a
condition that could maximize their growth,” she explained.

Aggangan said seedlings of the trees were “inoculated with a combination of fungi and nitrogen-
fixing bacteria before they were transplanted to the mined out sites.”

Science at work

The study found that seedlings treated with fungi and bacteria have significantly higher survival
rate in the mined out sites compared to plants without amendments, she added.

“A symbiosis exists between the fungus and the root of the host plant. The fungus colonizes the
root system, facilitating increased water and nutrient uptake while the plant provides the fungus
with carbohydrates as food which is formed during photosynthesis,” Aggangan said.
The NRCP served as the funding agency for Aggangan’s bioremediation research and she
presented the protocols to the government of Marinduque last month.

A simple turnover of a policy brief to the government of Marinduque and different stakeholders
was also held to further intensify the project implementation in Marinduque.

Mining disaster
The DOST said Marinduque became a victim of what was considered as one of the largest
mining disasters in the Philippine history.

On March 24, 1996, a drainage tunnel of a large pit ruptured and spilled millions of tons of mine
waste or tailings into the Makulapnit-Boac river system, displacing several villages and killing
marine life.

Marinduque Governor Carmencita O. Reyes appreciated the output of Aggangan’s studies and
research as she considered it “a welcome technology to Marinduque that will benefit the people
and save the province’s natural resources nearly destroyed by irresponsible mining companies.”
Reading # 5: House panel approves bill to boost PH scientific innovations, inventions
By PNA
February 16, 2017

The House Committee on Science and Technology has approved House Bill 4581 filed by Albay
Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, which aims to boost the country’s scientific innovations and inventions,
research and development towards social progress and global competitiveness.

Titled “Science for Change Program (S4CP) Act” with the theme of “Science for the People,” and
a budget that could reach PHP672 billion by 2022, HB 4581 is designed to help accelerate
science, technology and innovation (STI) developments and enable the country to keep up with
current global technology and innovation trends.

S4CP was launched by the house committee on science and technology chaired by Bohol Rep.
Erico Aristotle Aumentado. When enacted, it will be implemented by the Department of Science
and Technology (DOST). It was hailed by legislators as a key towards higher standards of STI
and global competitiveness. The total R&D budget for 2017 is PHP5.8 billion. The bill proposes
an estimated R&D budget which starts at PHP21 billion next year, more or less doubling yearly
over the next five-year period, and could reach PHP672 billion in 2022.

Salceda said it is his privilege to push legislation for the country’s strong science and technology
program, one of the vital components for growth under the Duterte administration. S4CP focuses
on four core concerns: 1) Program Expansion, 2) New Programs, 3) S&T Human Resource
Development, and 4) Accelerated R&D Program for Capacity Building of Research and
Development (R&D) Institutions and Industrial Competitiveness.

Salceda said DOST will be guided over the next five years by the tagline “Science for the People”
in its pursuit of R&D and S&T initiatives in 12 priority areas: R&D to address pressing problems;
R&D for productivity; R&D to tap, manage and store Renewable Energy Resources; R&D to apply
new technologies across sectors;

Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation; maximized utilization of R&D results
through technology transfer and/or commercialization; accelerated R&D program for capacity
building of R&D institutions; assistance to production sector; upgrading of facilities and
improvement of S&T services; Human Resource Development for S&T; utilization of state
universities and colleges in the regions which do R&D and develop human resources in S&T,
and; collaboration with industry, academe and international institutions.

For a country to be industrialized, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) recommends it should have 380 researchers, scientists and engineers
(RSE) per million population doing R&D studies, and one percent of GDP should be invested in
R&D. Based on a DOST 2013 R&D survey, the Philippines has 270 RSEs per million population
only, hence the need to increase the number by 110 in the coming years.

S4CP target areas for R&D include health, food and nutrition; human security; agricultural and
aquatic productivity; creative industries, tourism and services industries; nuclear science for
health, agriculture and energy; and agriculture; renewable energy; Biotechnology for agriculture,
health and environment; Space Technology and ICT development; Artificial Intelligence, and
climate and environmental sciences, among others.
It gives special focus on “S&T education, training, and services” and supports “indigenous,
appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and their application to the
country’s productive systems and national life.”

S4CP is Salceda’s fifth bill aimed to revitalize the country’s S&T and may well put under its
umbrella his four other bills — creation of a nuclear commission, revival of the Balik Scientist
Program, creation of metrology institute to modernize and standardize the country’s
measurement system, and creation of the country’s space agency.

The Albay lawmaker also recently authored a House Resolution urging a congressional
investigation into the sad state of country’s information technology and computer science
education, and formulate measures to enhance and improve the quality of teaching in these
fields.

S4CP, Salceda stressed, must be provided sufficient budget to underwrite all R&D efforts for the
5-year period, as follows:1) Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER), PHP3.2 billion; 2)
R&D Leadership Program (RDLead), P6 billion; 3) Collaborative R&D to Leverage PH Economy
(CRADLE) for RDIs and Industry, PHP3.2 billion; 4) Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) for
Industry, PHP14.25 billion; 5) R&D for industry sectors (at PHP 50M to PHP 100M per sector x
75); and 5) S&T HRD (STRAND, STAR, SRCUR).

Salceda noted that the country’s scientific and technological indicators have improved
significantly in the last six years, based on the UNESCO benchmark. The Philippines has tried to
comply with the UNESCO prescription of 380 researchers, scientists and engineers (RSEs) per
million population and the percentage of the GDP expenditure on research and development of at
least one percent. The total R&D budget for 2017 is PHP5.8 billion. The bill proposes an
estimated R&D budget which starts at PHP21 billion next year, more or less doubling yearly over
the next five-year period, and could reach PHP672 billion in 2022.

Based on DOST reports, Filipino RSEs have significantly increased from 180 in 2009 to 270 in
2013, while the budget of DOST has risen from PHP5.7 billion in 2009 to PHP20.8 billion in 2017,
with R&D budget allocation increasing from PHP1 billion in 2009 to PHP5.8 billion in 2017.
Salceda said, the Science Education Institute (SEI) and the Philippine Science High School
(PSHS) which now has 16 regional campuses nationwide, have significantly contributed to the
DOST HRD and the increase in RSEs.

Reading #6: Use of Indigenous Filipino Materials and Methods in Building Green Homes
October 16, 2015

(We recently did a collaboration with Lamudi.com, and we’re sharing with you what they had to
say on Filipino building materials and sustainable designs, feel free to share your thoughts with
us too!)

Upon close inspection of the local real estate, it can be observed that current housing trends
follow the exemplars of American and European designs. However, many of these, though
impressive, is not always ideal for our tropical climate.

Many leads to significant energy and operation costs and the continued increase in building
materials’ prices already pose a challenge during building. Despite modern developments
providing more affordable solutions, not all are necessarily sustainable.

Remarkably, the greenest methods and materials may not actually come from foreign influence or
future advancements, but from local ingenuity, history, and natural resources. Leading real estate
website Lamudi enumerates just some of these indigenous materials homebuilders can use.
Bahay Kubo

The Sawali Design Cue

Favored in a tropical country, the bahay kubo had always been designed to deal with heat,
humidity, and floods. Bahay kubos are built lifted from the ground or on stilts, allowing air to
circulate from the under the house, helping keep it cool, as well as avoid significant flood levels.

While the indigenous concept, commonly referred to as the sawali, seems simple, it remains
effective today, with existing bahay kubos naturally cooler than modern condos and houses. With
the property type, space, and landscape permitting, the sawali can easily apply to contemporary
homes.

Bamboo
Bamboo comprises 80–90 percent of a bahay kubo. The material is very versatile, used as strips,
split, or whole timber varieties. Unfairly given the moniker of “poor man’s lumber” and relegated
for use in furniture, bags, and wall décor, bamboo has experienced a renaissance as a building
material thanks to increased public interest in going green.
Technology has allowed bamboo to be cured, where it is soaked in special solutions that
eliminate the starches that make it susceptible to fire and termite infestation. It also preserves the
material, allowing it to last for as long as 30 years.

Rice Hull Ash Cement (RHAC)

Of course, it is no longer practical to build a full-on bamboo bahay kubo, particularly in the metro,
due to the risk to fire safety and durability. Concrete is essential for modern homes, and given
that the standard variety has ingredients of volcanic origin, it can be costly, particularly in copious
amounts.
Fortunately, the ash from rice hulls or husks is an affordable and effective substitute. When
burned between 700 to 750 degrees Celsius, the ash from palay coverings offers binding
properties that make it a suitable additive to cement solutions. Since rice is a common crop in the
country, RHAC building materials are easy to sustain.

Coconut Lumber

While palm trees have grown in the different parts of the Philippines since the early portion of the
20th century, these were primarily just for the harvesting of coconuts. When trees stopped
bearing fruit, it was commonly just felled to give way for the plantation of new trees.

With the increase in prices of more commonly used lumber variants, recent years have seen the
exploration of palm trees as an alternative source. The once low valued senile coconut palm trees
have since been promoted as a source of income for the lumber industry, with the material a
source of veneer and numerous building products.

Santol Wood

Quite common in the Philippines, santol is mostly known for its fruit that is popularly consumed
and used as an ingredient in places all over the country. What most don’t realize is that the tree
that the fruit grows from is also an ideal wood alternative.

While the material is comparatively less dense than other wood variants, it is one that is easy to
work with and polish. This, of course, is if the lumber was cured correctly. Probably the best
feature of high-quality wood from santol trees is that it is highly resistant to wood borers, or
bukbok. This makes it ideal for use as a protective covering or skeletal framework.