PIA Press Release
Friday, January 06, 2012DOST calls on Filipinos to make Science & Tech an integral part of lifeby Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR, Jan. 6 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) commits itself to fully implement its 5-Point Development Program this year and beyond in line with the Aquino Administration’s national development agenda. This was said as DOST Secretary Mario Montejo cited in his 2011 yearend message the breakthroughs and achievements of the science department in the service to the nation in the last 12 months. “We want to enjoin everyone to make Science & Technology an integral part of your lives,” Montejo said. In his message shared by the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) to the PIA, Montejo said the DOST will first, explore the avenues opened by public-private partnerships in order to use Science and Technology (S&T) to solve pressing national problems. “We will rely heavily on our research and development programs to address dengue, telehealth services, potable water, malnutrition, rice shortage, brown/fortified rice, baby food program, coral reef rehabilitation, disaster mitigation, red tide control and management, and the Fusarium Wilt infestation problem affecting our banana plantations, among others,” he said. Second, Montejo said, the department will develop and diffuse appropriate technologies to create growth in the countryside, such as world class technology-based products, food processing technologies, and super farms. Third, the DOST vowed to improve industry competitiveness citing the already launched Automated Gateway Transit System, while under various stages of development and prototyping are technologies that can raise the productivity of industries spanning BPO, electronics, renewable energy (solar, wind), and mining industry (gold, copper, nickel pilot processing plant). Fourth, he said, is the use of S&T to enhance the delivery of government and social services. Initiatives along this line include the Government Broadband Network, National Telehealth Services, and the National 3D mapping, he said. “Finally, we will build and enhance capacity in emerging technologies such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, genomics, advanced food production technology, and advanced manufacturing systems like in robotics and automated process control,” he also said. “Our motto has always been “local technology works,” Montejo added that as such DOST will always promote local technologies toward the nurturing of a business environment that addresses the special needs of technology-based entrepreneurship. “It is our wish to impress upon our publics the impact of DOST’s mandate in accelerating the pace of knowledge-driven development in accordance with its growth potential in the country,” Montejo concluded. (mbcn/rac/PIA-Siquijor & DOST-Siquijor) |
