ILOILO CITY, (PNA) — An official of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) stressed the importance of S&T not only in the economy of the country, but in the lives of Filipinos.
Engr. Robert Dizon, DOST assistant secretary for strategic plans and programs, said that Filipinos must take advantage of the country’s bullish economy by generating knowledge, which will then be transformed into technological developments or innovations.
Dizon led the opening rites of the Visayas Science and Technology (S&T) Fair at the SM City Iloilo Event Center here Wednesday.
“Gone are the days when the economic might of a country is anchored on its land, labor and capital. The most competitive and dynamic economies of today are those which are able to generate knowledge, transform knowledge into technological development for a culture of innovation, and build its human capital,” he said.
Dizon also emphasized the importance of the DOST’s newest strategy of promoting growth dubbed “Smarter Philippines.”
“It is a strategy to adopt innovative, better and more cost-effective ways of doing things using S&T and Information and Communications Technology (ICT). It is a vision of the country where science, technology and innovation is a way of life,” he said.
“We may still be a long way off from our vision, but we are starting to realize some of our dreams,” he added.
Dizon noted the country’s global position in terms of innovation, and said the Philippines has already gained foothold, particularly in the ICT sector.
“Despite seemingly insurmountable constraints, we have strengthened the country’s position as an emerging champion of innovation in this part of the globe,” he said.
Meanwhile, DOST-6 Regional director Rowen Gelonga said the Visayas Fair aims to showcase the recent S&T developments in the Visayas Cluster composed of Region 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), and 8 (Eastern Visayas) which are generated by the DOST and its partners, he said.