SCIENCE is an integral part of how one community or civilization advances its self.
Sadly, for some reason, the scientific community in the Philippines is not getting the attention it should get. Because if it is getting the attention that it is supposed to get, we would be in a much more technologically and scientifically advanced society.
It is unfortunate that not many are aware of the technological and scientific milestones that came out of the different fields of science and research institutions in the country.
For instance, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the International Rice Research Institute have developed technologies and seeds that will help increase the yields of the farmers. They have also developed seeds that are resilient to climate change.
PhilRice developed rice varieties PSB Rc 10, NSIC Rc130, and NSIC Rc 134. These varieties are drought resistant and can be harvested within 104 to 110 days. With El Niño, these can be of help to rice farmers and securing our food security.
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) also supported the development of Eco-Friendly Septic System (Eco-Sep).
Developed by Dr. Merlinda Palencia through the support of DOST-PCIEERD, the council said Eco-Sep “is a self-sustaining, portable, and movable wastewater treatment system that uses an innovative combination of bio-stimulation and filtration enhanced with organominerals.”
There is also the RxBox telehealth device, which allows medical consultations “even from geographically isolated and depressed areas of the country.” The device was conceptualized by the Philippine General Hospital while the prototype was developed by Dr. Alvin Marcelo, former UP National Telehealth Center (NTHC) director, and Dr. Luis Sison of the UP Diliman College of Engineering.
These are just among the technologies and innovations that were developed by Filipino scientists with the support of the government. Sadly, not many Filipinos know about them.
The proposed P19.8 billion budget for DOST and its attached agency may not be enough to further advance the scientific community here in the Philippines.
Hopefully, the government will increase its spending on research and development in the different fields in the coming years.
DOST might want to increase its spending on information and education on the advances in sciences in the country. As more people will know about the scientific community here, it might just get the attention and appreciation it needs.
The government and the general public must understand the importance of sciences in improving our country as a whole. It is through the sciences that we will be able to find ways to adapt to climate change and make our county more competitive.