GOVPH
MENU

Details
Hits: 5372

Department of Science and Technology Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro wears her advocacy especially during proud moments when the close-knit science community stirs up from its undeserved staid reputation. Alabastro was sunny in a silk gown topped with plaid, hand-woven silk bolero dyed with talisay leaves and young coconut husk at the recent National Science and Technology Week opening rites held at the Manila Hotel.

The outfit’s fabric was hand-woven from breeds of Philippine silkworm varieties. Silk throwing or plying and twisting along with dye extraction were also done using technologies developed by experts at DOST’s Philippine Textile Research Institute. Dyes extracted from talisay leaves were used for the black warp and weft, and young coconut husk for the pink weft.

PTRI developed the fabrics jointly with De La Cruz House of Piña, and New York-based designer Anthony Cruz Legarda. JC Sasoy, a runner up at the Young Designers’ Competition held early this year, designed the outfit.

efa_dress.jpg natural dye.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Details
Hits: 3529

 vietnam.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Department of Science and Technology Assistant Secretary Carol M. Yorobe (right) listens to the presentation of Dr. Ta Ba Hung (middle), director of Vietnam’s National Center of Science and Technology Information on an international technology fair called Techmart Vietnam ASEAN+3 to be held in Hanoi on September 17-20. DOST holds a similar event called Technology Fair annually where domestic technology products, services, and inventions are put on exhibit along with parallel activities on business matching between technology generators, investors, and adoptors. Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology through Dr. Hung and his deputy, Khong Duy Quy (left) invites participants and technology vendors from the Philippines during their visit-presentation at the DOST main office in Bicutan science complex today July 31. [Joy M. Lazcano, S&T Media Service]

Details
Hits: 10539

In her first state-of-the-nation address in 2001, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo held that “Technology is the foundation of future economic development.”

The Arroyo government’s support to science and technology had since expanded in terms of funding and institutional enhancements covering high impact projects, adoption of enabling laws, directives, and policies.

Education reform that would strengthen science and math in basic education was implemented. Policies were reviewed to plug assorted coordination gaps among public and private institutions, and move public and private S&T budget spending closer to the UNESCO-prescribed one percent of the nation’s GDP.

Science and Engineering Education

Science and engineering education is high on the list of the government’s agenda.  In 2007, President Arroyo authorized the Department of Budget and Management to release P200 million to expand graduate and post-graduate scholarships in science and engineering. This is in addition to the P500 million supplemental budget allocated in 2006 to build a national science complex at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

Details
Hits: 3354

Dr. Baldomero Olivera, Harvard University’s “Scientist of the Year” in 2007, will keynote the National Science and Technology Week opening program on July 20 at the Manila Hotel.

The award-winning Filipino scientist is renowned for major research breakthroughs on cone snails--carnivorous, predatory marine snails common in the Philippines--which have significant applications in neuropharmacology, particularly in the development of painkillers.