DOST’s Dela Peña echoes government S&T policy

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna, Philippines – Science initiative must be distributed to the regions, especially where food production needs to be improved and industry needs to grow.

Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña echoed this S&T policy statement of President Duterte as he enjoined the research and development community to optimize its gains “by adapting to the challenges brought about by our changing climate and agriculturally hostile environment.”

“Let us address with dispatch our agricultural risks and handicaps such as erosion, flooding and drought,” he further stressed in his speech at the sixth anniversary of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).

PCAARRD was established as the Philippine Council for Agricultural Research in 1972 with the mandate to coordinate, evaluate, streamline, and monitor agriculture and natural resources research in the country. Over the past 45 years, it metamorphosed into a nationwide and strong institution that now oversees the operation of the national agriculture, aquatic and resources research and development network. It has also become a model among research systems of developing Asian countries.

During the anniversary program, PCAARRD conferred the prestigious awards it presents to outstanding scientists (Pantas Award), institutions (Tanglaw Award) and media (Ulat SIPAG). Four new books and four new R&D/S&T initiatives were also launched.

In his address, Dela Peña also recognized the valuable contributions of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk “on whose shoulders we have lodged the task of feeding the continually increasing Filipino population.”

“This task becomes more challenging as the country’s population now stands at a little over 100 million. With this number, the Philippines is now considered as the 12th most populous nation in the world,” the former University of the Philippines professor said.

He added that while this huge population presents many challenges such as infrastructure, education and health,  food security is by far the most challenging task facing the Philippines.