MANILA, Feb. 3 (PNA) — The Department of Science and Technology reiterated its commitment in pursuing innovations to attain inclusive growth and economic development of the country during the commemoration of the department’s Commitment Day held at the DOST Complex in Bicutan, Taguig City on Monday.
“Our objectives and strategies are designed to develop and harness the forces of science, technology and innovation toward sustainable and inclusive growth, the end-goal of national developments under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III,” DOST Secretary Mario Montejo stressed in his speech.
He said the DOST intends to accomplish these goals through undertaking the following initiatives: harnessing science, technology and innovations to improve productivity and enhance the country’s competitiveness in vital sectors, according greater attention to science-based information on weather, climate change and geological hazards, and generating highly-skilled and globally competitive human resources in support of national S&T programs.
These strategies are directed towards carrying out DOST’s eight major outcomes in the sectors of agriculture, enterprises, industries, IT-business process management, connectivity, health, education, and disaster preparedness.
“The department aims to harmonize research and development initiatives on these sectors to accomplish these outcomes,” Dr. Aristotle Carandang, chief of Communications Resources and Production Division, said in an interview with the Philippines News Agency.
The DOST has decided to hold its Commitment Day for the officials and employees of its attached agencies and advisory bodies to gain awareness on these eight outcomes.
During the event, DOST officials led by Montejo and employees signed an agreement stating their full commitment to the department’s priority agenda.
“The Commitment Day provided an opportunity for the members of the DOST family to gather together and show their support to the eight outcomes,” Carandang said.
The projects that are being undertaken by the department to carry out these objectives include:
* Project NOAH for timely and accurate disaster prevention and mitigation.
* Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (DOST-SETUP).
* Advanced Device and Materials Testing (ADMATEL) Laboratory for local semiconductor and electronics firms.
* Smarter Philippines which leverages information and communications technology for better products and services.
* The Philippine Standard Time which synchronizes all timepieces in the country.
* The Mosquito Ovicidal-Larvicidal Trap (O/L trap) to fight dengue.
* The Automated Guideway Transport or AGT — an elevated and automated transportation system currently at its pilot testing stage in the University of the Philippines Diliman. (PNA)