MAYOR Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has called on the academe to strengthen its research capability, especially nowadays when humans are confronted with health threatening pandemics or plagues.
Salazar made the statement as she keynoted Wednesday, February 12, the opening of a two-day Basic Research Caravan initiated by the National Research Council of the Philippines at the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) in the village of Rio Hondo, Zamboanga City.
Salazar's message delved on the so-called zoonotic viruses or diseases that are airborne and transferred from animals to humans.
Common among these zoonotic viruses from animals are the Ebola, Avian flu, the African Swine Flu (ASF), and now the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) which has taken many victims all over the world.
She said these pandemics arising from zoonotic viruses can only be given solutions or medicines through research.
"Research must be strengthened among schools, not only in the field of medicines but other topics to develop the students' research ability. Research is needed," she said.
The mayor commended the researchers attending the two-day caravan, and even encouraged other academicians to engage more in research even as she acknowledged the fact that oftentimes, the lack of funds is a downside of research. (SunStar Zamboanga)