CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) region 10 have partnered with the academe and various industries in the region in celebration of National Science and Technology Week 2021 Amihanang Mindanao from October 26-29, 2021.

In Talakayan sa PIA, media forum on October 25 at SM City Cagayan de Oro, DOST Regional Director Alfonso Alamban shared the celebration this year is virtual with theme, “Siyensya at Teknolohiya tungo sa hamon ng panahon.”

This is very relevant, he said, because as pandemic continuous, DOST also tries to overcome its challenges through science and technology.

The activities held online produce various topics suited for different audiences from students, businessmen, researchers and those who want to commercialize new technologies invented by local inventors, disaster preparedness and online marketing.

According to Alamban, major projects supported by the DOST are with various research and development institutes in the region which includes Mindanao State University in Naawan for Sea Cucumber Center, Central Mindanao University for Bamboo Research Center and Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU IIT) for Center of Sustainable Polymers.

Another major project of DOST is OROBEST in partnership with Oro Chamber, universities and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) where industries use scientifically developed technology to increase productivity.

Universities make research proposals for the needs of the industries and DOST come in for funding. One successful outcome of OroBest is the development of how to locally produce Spirulina (usually imported), as ingredient to combine with Moringa.

“Nakita nato nga once you devote your resources to research and development, dako gyud ang tabang ani pag develop sa atong ekonomiya,” said Alamban.

(We have seen that once you devote your resources to research and development, it can help to improve the economy.)

Based on Global Innovation Index, Alamban said we climbed up but neighboring countries like Singapore and Malaysia are still on top. Philippines was ranked 104 in 2014 and rose up to 50 in 2020 but in 2021, fell one rank to 51.

Alamban said the problem is lack of productivity due to lack of resources support. Based on its criteria, the country has lower investment, research and development but is high with research outputs.

There are many opportunities for research in the country but the fund is limited that is why a proposed legislation for the region lobbied as the Science for the People bill supported by Regional Development Council is to have a special budget for research alone. Once approved, it should provide P10 billion budget for research.

Alamban said, the government is doing its best to increase resources for research and development. (JMOR/PIA-10)