THE National Academy of Science and Technology is focusing on marine and coastal resources in bringing in inclusive growth to Filipino people and sustainable development to the country.
This was the essence of the two-day Luzon Regional scientific meeting on May 15 to 16 at CAP John Hay Convention Center in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology, which is a pre-activity for the 39th Annual Scientific Meeting set in Manila this July.
The NAST had the theme, “Attaining Sustainable Development Goals: Philippine Fisheries and Other Aquatic Resources 20/20.”
The event featured science legislative forum on Blue (water) economy and plenary sessions: fish health and its implications to food security, water quality vis avis food production, environmental contamination of aquatic resources and its implications on health, fish in the Filipino diet, the Philippine Seas as a frontier of pharmaceutical discovery and development, and freshwater aquaculture, its status, prospects and problems in the Philippine setting.
It also included technical sessions on Scientific Mentoring and Research Management and Ethics in Research and Development and Research Proposal Writing.
DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña, in his keynote message, said NAST is regarded as the country’s highest advisory council in the field of crafting Science and Technology policies.
With the regional and the upcoming national scientific meeting anchored on the country’s marine and aquatic resources’ role towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals, Dela Peña also lauded NAST for convening all stakeholders in looking into the regional fisheries sector status and the possible development concerns, as well as on drafting solutions and interventions that can help the sector progress towards the attainment of the SDGs.
He also highlighted the 169 targets in the 17 SDGs approved by the UN member countries, almost all have science and technology significance, thus, the impact of the work that they are doing is very important especially in the attainment of SDG Goal No. 14, or the Development of Life Below Water Towards the attainment of Goal No. 1- no poverty, Goal No 2– zero hunger and Goal No. 3– god health and well–being.
In bringing in innovations, Dela Peña also encourages scientists and academicians that in addition to the technical aspect, they should also look into social and grassroots aspects of innovations in serving the need of our people and in helping the country towards sustainable development.
“I am therefore one with the NAST in hoping that this annual regional and national scientific meeting will provide all of us with new insights that will guide us in our decision making and bring us back to the issues and concerns that impede our growth and development and that it would spark new ideas and collaboration towards nation building, not only anchored on science but also geared towards inclusive growth and sustainable development”, Dela Peña stressed.
He also affirmed that S&T promotion in bringing in inclusive growth and nation building is among the priority thrusts of the government givent that it is among the 10 – point agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte, and part of the Philippine Development Plan. (PIA)