Why AGHAM?

AGHAM held its national assembly last Thursday with its top officials who are leading figures in the field of science, technology and research, explaining the Party List’s commitment to fight for the country’s need for a technology-explicit national development agenda.

AGHAM national president Dr. Emil Q. Javier, former minister of science and former president of the University of the Philippines and current head of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) said that scientists have long mulled over the idea of joining Congress and helping craft policy in support of science." He quoted the late Dr. Rey Punongbayan of Phivolcs as saying that it is time for scientists and people dependent on the science sector to enter the political arena.

Among the scientists at the assembly were Dr. Angel C. Alcala, former secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and renowned marine biologist; UP Regent Nelia Gonzales, a well-known figure in agricultural economics, and Dr. Bernardo Fernando, former dean of the UP College of Agriculture and former president of the Visayas State University.

Saeed A. Daof, a peace advocate who is the director general of the Center for the Advancement of Peace and Development in Mindanao, spoke about the importance and application of science and technology in winning "a lasting peace that could propel the attainment and realization of sustained development, progress and prosperity of our country, and improvement of the quality of life of our people."

An AGHAM leader said that the Party List will prioritize the enactment of laws to generate funds for the establishment, operation and management of new and selected existing science and technology schools, centers and communities. It will also seek tax beaks and incentives for industries or corporate organizations willing to risk capital for research and development of inventions and their commercial applications and operations, human resources development and education through scholarships.

Former Social Welfare and Development secretary and currently secretary general of the Philippine National Red Cross Cora Alma de Leon said that for tourism to flourish, and Philippine agriculture to be competitive, the country needs science and technology. "We have lost many opportunities because we have failed to put science and technology in the hands of education, health and welfare, trade and industry, agriculture and environment and natural resources."

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Dr. Emil Javier, long before the launching of AGHAM, has advocated more serious government support of science and technology. He has been quoting statistics from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources Research & Development (PCARRD) on the lack of such support. Weak support for S&T is seen as one of the contributory factors to the problem of low productivity, he said. Despite the promise of S&T to raise productivity, inadequate funding for S&T persists. Government’s budgetary appropriations for S&T have been declining through the years.

According to a PCARRD study, because of lack of government support, the country has experienced a decrease in the number of scientists in proportion to the population. In 1992, there were only 152 scientists and engineers for a population of 65.3 million; 156 scientists and engineers for a population of 71.9 million in 1996, and, tragically, only 85 scientists and engineers for a population of 80.4.

Dr. Javier believes the number of scientists this year has even decreased.

The sad thing is that other countries like Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan have a bigger scientist to population ratio.

With AGHAM representatives in Congress, the picture is hoped to drastically improve. But the challenge to make this become a reality falls on voters.

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Filipinos welcome foreign investments to help develop our country, but foreign investors and multinationals must respect our laws and regulations.

Information we received states that Amsterdam Holdings, Inc. (AHI), a Dutch corporation, is accusing the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) of violating the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) law. The company has demanded that the DOTC evaluate its proposal to establish a nationwide broadband network in the Philippines at a cost of $240 million.

DOTC Assistant Secretary Elmer A. Soneja explained that the Dutch company has no reason to complain as it has failed to comply in full with the requirements of the BOT law for an "unsolicited proposal" to be evaluated by the Philippine government. These requirements are a feasibility study, company profile, including names and qualifications of key personnel, list of completed works and latest financial statements. It also failed to submit it proposed contractual terms and conditions on the obligations of both the government and the proponent.

Soneja denied the claim of Szu that AHI had submitted "the first complete proposal." He said he submitted a letter to AHI President Nathaniel F. Sauz dated March 26, 2007, stating that the documents resubmitted by AHI on Feb. 27, 2007 were likewise found to be incomplete, thus falling short of the requirements under the BOT law.

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The Sigma Beta Sorority, the oldest accredited sorority in the University of the Philippines, celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. Recently it conferred its highest honor on Dr. Lily Rosqueta-Rosales, nationally and internationally known educator and counselor. The conferment was presided over by Alma Calleja-Maceda, president of the Sigma Beta Alumnae Foundation Inc., Cleofe Verzola, vice-president and chair of the Diamond Jubilee committee, and Eleanor A. Tabuzo, chair of the Awards committee.

Through its 75 years of existence, the sorority has rendered meaningful service to students in the country and abroad. A scholarship program begun in 1940 is still being implemented and is strongly supported by alumnae foundation former presidents Lucille Torres, Estelita Cordero, Elvie Verano, Jose Saddul, Edda Pena and Fe Tantiansu.

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