The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) stirs up the country’s Research and Development (R&D) agenda as it holds the National Research and Development Conference to harmonize the R&D activities into a strategic development plan starting 2017.
The conference, slated on 21 October 2016 at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria Hotel in Ortigas, Pasig City, aims to unify all the R&D efforts of various government funding agencies and research and development institutes through a consultative meeting with its stakeholders.
Output of the said conference will be the drafting of a National Harmonized R&D Agenda that will serve as the blueprint for all government funded R&Ds through the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
The harmonized R&D agenda will focus on key sectors and its priority areas of development in accordance with NEDA’s Philippine Development Plan.
The DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña will lead the discussion of sectoral R&D plans to be presented by R&D funding agency heads, namely Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora on agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources; Dr. Jaime C. Montoya on health; Dr. Carlos Primo C. David for the industry, energy, and emerging technologies; Dr. Marieta B. Sumagaysay on basic research; and Dr. Renato U. Solidum for disaster mitigation and Climate Change adaptation.
According to Secretary de la Peña, R&D is still the top priority of his administration especially the agriculture sector and country-side development as underscored by the top management.
In previous years, DOST refocused its efforts on the practical applications of research to create measurable impacts both to the economy and the people. The science department is credited in initiating programs that significantly mitigated the effects of natural disasters in the country through the use of cutting edge technologies and high performance computing. It also created awareness campaigns on climate change adaptation and considerably contributed in alleviating poverty and promotion of inclusive growth through assistance to small and medium enterprises, creating hundreds of thousands of livelihood opportunities to Filipinos.
The DOST, through Executive Order 128 of 1987, is the sole government office mandated to direct all scientific R&D activities with potential benefits to the socioeconomic development of its people.
