TODAY, another milestone in Philippine history of science and technology takes place at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila. But because it's too “nerdy” as compared to current issues like “Norwegia,” it may not even go to a widespread conversation even in social media. But it's happening, and I'm sharing it anyway.
I am quite honored and privileged to be invited to cover “AghamBayan,” a technology and innovation festival organized by the system of the University of the Philippines (UP), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
This festival is showcasing the promising scientific projects and accomplishments of the scientific community in the UP system (that means all UP campuses in the country), and can be useful tools in nation building and improve economic activities.
Many times over, Filipino scientists are knocking on our doors through the government to get expanded support, not only for its practical uses for different industries, but also through researches.
Because there are still many Filipino technology and innovations that remained untapped, unused. Maybe this is an era that it is about time we patronize our won Filipino scientists' works.
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I saw a short feature about Sweden's extraordinary solid waste management of which they convert garbage to electricity.
The garbage were segregated, those that can be recycled are repurposed, while those are being used to generate power, and what goes to their landfills are only about one to two percent of the total wastes thrown.
It's said that because if this mechanism, Sweden is running out of garbage to maintain supplying power, that's why they've entered into an agreement with other countries to import wastes from abroad.
Our country, who has a penchant for wastes and energy problems, may learn from this. Too bad, we have traditional government bureaucracies, which susceptible to red tape and corruption, not to mention a polarizing divide on politics.
This just made me envious and quite embarrassed as compared to our own, however optimistic that someday we could have that technology soon enough in our lifetime.
(Nefluczon@gmail.com)