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Section I: Duterte reassures support to science, R&D

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte provided a speech delivered by Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno
during the opening ceremony of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) 2017. He announced
that the Department of Science and Technology would be given a budget increase. This is partly due to the
department's efforts to provide research and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Science Secretary Fortunato de la Peña noted at the same event that the very reason science and
technology are pursued is that it benefits the people. Thus they must be reacquainted with it. The event's
theme was "Science for the People."

Besides the agenda of promoting entrepreneurship, Duterte, via Diokno, stated that the current
administration expressed their support for the Philippine Space Technology Program. He noted that this
should officially mark the Philippines' intention of joining the "space race," adding that the country needs to
catch up and move with the industrialized world.

Section II: Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 Overall Framework

The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 is the first medium-term plan anchored on the
Ambisyon Natin 2040, consistent with Executive Order No. 5, s. 2016. The priorities are guided by the
Duterte Administration’s "0 to10-point Socioeconomic Agenda", the regional consultations conducted by
the various planning committees, and the social development summits that culminated in the 20@22
Agenda: Malasakit at Pagbabago. The goal of the PDP 2017-2022 is to enable Filipinos to attain a matatag,
maginhawa, at panatag na buhay. It acknowledges the accomplishments of the previous administrations,
adopts the good practices, and carefully considers the lessons gleaned from these experiences.

Figure 1. PDP 2017-2022 Overall Strategic Framework

The performance of the economy of the past administration, though impressive, fell short of the targets set
in the PDP 2011-2016. In contrast, those about the social dimension – reducing poverty incidence and

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unemployment rate – surpassed the target. The objective of reducing underemployment, however,
remained fruitless. The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an average of 6.1% last 2010-
2016, the fastest 6-year moving average since 1978, although this was still below target. The 2014 poor
performance of a 6.2% growth rate could be attributed to typhoon (TY) Yolanda. The slowdown in 2015
largely reflected in the Industry sector was, perhaps, due to capacity constraints in major roads, ports, and
airports, as well as government underspending. The poor performance of Agriculture, meanwhile, can be
traced to extreme weather events experienced by the country across the spectrum – tropical cyclones, El
Niño-induced drought – and pest infestation. Worse, output in the fishery subsector suffered consecutive
declines for six out of the past seven years, except in 2013.

The program aims the following:

1. The Philippines will be an upper-middle-income country by 2022;
2. Growth will be more inclusive as manifested by a lower poverty incidence in the rural areas, from
30 percent in 2015 to 20 percent in 2022;
3. The unemployment rate will decline from the current 5.5 percent to 3-5 percent in 2022;
4. There will be greater trust in government and society;
5. Individuals and communities will be more resilient; and
6. Filipinos will have a greater drive for innovation.

Section III: 5 Filipinos break into top 100 Asian scientists list

Five (5) Filipino scientists were listed in the "Asian Scientists 100" of the Asian Scientist magazine. To be
included on the list the honoree must satisfy the following requisites: he must have received a national or
international prize in 2014 or 2015 for his or her research, the prize should have been subjected to a
competitive vetting process and the honoree “could have made a significant contribution in scientific discovery
or leadership that has benefited either academia or industry.”

Leading the list was Ramon Barba, ranking in third place for his horticulture work on mango trees bearing
flowers regardless of seasons -- an application on plant physiology. Following his lead were Angel Alcala
(7th) for his work on Philippine reptiles and amphibians, Edgardo Gomez (9th) for his national-scale
assessment of damages to coral reefs, and Project NOAH director Mahar Lagmay (10th) for the disaster
readiness and risk reduction app. Last to join the roster was Gavino Cajulao Trono, Jr. (12th). He was
recognized for his study on tropical marine phycology.

Section IV: Lady scientist leads pioneering method to revive Marinduque’s mining wastelands

A female scientist’s efforts to revive the degraded and abandoned mining sites in Marinduque have shown
promising results through a new method of bioremediation she developed, the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) said. Bioremediation, touted by scientists as a biological response to environmental
abuse, uses microorganisms to clean up contaminated sites. It is normally employed to address
environmental pollution caused by heavy and toxic metals through mining and other metallurgical
processes.

Dr. Nelly Aggangan, a University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños-based researcher of the National
Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP), developed new bioremediation protocols and used it
to restore a part of the 32-hectare mined dumpsite in Mogpog, Marinduque. The soil in the area was already
nutrient-depleted. Yet, Dr. Aggangan noted that trees such as narra, acacia, and eucalyptus could thrive
on such soils, as long as there is a presence of beneficial fungi and bacteria to strengthen plant tolerance
on the highly acidic and metallic areas.

Section V: House panel approves bill to boost PH scientific innovations, inventions

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The House Committee on Science and Technology has approved House Bill 4581 filed by Albay Rep. Joey
Sarte Salceda, which aims to boost the country’s scientific innovations and inventions, research, and
development towards social progress and global competitiveness. Titled “Science for Change Program
(S4CP) Act” with the theme of “Science for the People,” and a budget that could reach PHP672 billion by
2022, HB 4581 is designed to help accelerate science, technology, and innovation (STI) developments and
enable the country to keep up with current global technology and innovation trends.

Salceda said it is his privilege to push legislation for the country’s strong science and technology program,
one of the vital components for growth under the Duterte administration. S4CP focuses on four core
concerns: 1) Program Expansion, 2) New Programs, 3) S&T Human Resource Development, and 4)
Accelerated R&D Program for Capacity Building of Research and Development (R&D) Institutions and
Industrial Competitiveness.

S4CP target areas for R&D include health, food and nutrition; human security; agricultural and aquatic
productivity; creative industries, tourism and services industries; nuclear science for health, agriculture and
energy; and agriculture; renewable energy; Biotechnology for agriculture, health and environment; Space
Technology and ICT development; Artificial Intelligence, and climate and environmental sciences, among
others.

S4CP is Salceda’s fifth bill aimed to revitalize the country’s S&T. It may well put under its umbrella his four
other bills — the creation of a nuclear commission, revival of the Balik Scientist Program, creation of
metrology institute to modernize and standardize the country’s measurement system, and creation of the
country’s space agency. The Albay lawmaker also recently authored a House Resolution urging a
congressional investigation into the sad state of country’s information technology and computer science
education, and formulate measures to enhance and improve the quality of teaching in these fields.

Section VI: Use of Indigenous Filipino Materials and Methods in Building Green Homes

Buensalido Architecture, in collaboration with Lamudi.com, shared what Filipino architecture has and the
sustainable materials that can be used in construction and daily living. They noted that the majority of the
homes constructed follow the roots of American and European designs: impressive, yet unsuitable for the
tropical climate. They surmised that, with the rising costs of construction materials, "going green" was the
best way to go.

And the materials needed are available in the country.

They defended that the bahay kubo is the ideal home for a tropical location. It can deal with humidity, heat,
and flooding. Built elevated on the ground (or on stilts), this design, coupled with the sawali weaving of the
kubo's walls, allow air circulation to keep the house cool -- as well as avoid floods.

The "green" materials they explored and promoted are given on the next page. They explicitly stated that,
with the price increase of more commonly-used lumber, coconut lumber has been in the spotlight of the
lumber industry because of its availability and versatility.

Section VII: Common Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs) in the Philippines

In the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1994, the International Day of the World’s
Indigenous Peoples was first pronounced. August 9 of every year marks this important day, recognizing the
achievement and contributions of IPs and their important role of the world to environmental protection and
sustainable development.

In the Philippines, there are eight (8) major IP groupings further subdivided into more than 100
ethnolinguistic groups, the largest being the “lumads” of Mindanao. Each of these groups has developed

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their own culture and practices that enabled them to flourish since time immemorial. The following are some
of the Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs) developed by indigenous groups in the
country.

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Source: http://www.buensalidoarchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Infographic_Low-res.jpg

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Section VII: Common Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices … (continued)

IKSP Field IKSP Applied
Farming The Ifugao has developed their unique way of agroforestry, as seen in the Banaue
Rice Terraces, consisting of:
• Payoh - terracing/rice terraces
• Muyong - woodlots or small private forests
• Uma - fields that underwent kaingin (slash-and-burn clearing)
Handicrafts The Atis of Panay, a nomadic minority, has since spread out and settled into
communities. They make handicrafts as their source of income. They are noted for
their:
• Winnowing baskets
• Hammocks
• Armlets
• Bags
Food preservation The country's arid climate has pushed the indigenous to create ways of preserving
food. These are done via:
• Fermentation - evident in patis, atsara (or achara), and lambanog
• Dehydration (Drying) - evident in tuyo, etag, and danggit.

The country is also rich with coconut and bananas, being one (1) of the leading
exports of the country.
• Coconut Products
o Coconut meat (can be eaten raw or used as chips or desiccated flakes for
cooking)
o Coconut milk
o Coconut water
o Coconut vinegar
• Banana Products
o Banana fruit (eaten as is or cooked)
o Banana flour
o Banana chips
o Banana catsup
Hunting Although not being practiced today, hunting was one (1) of the ways the indigenous
people use to ensure food on the table. They use elaborate traps and tools for this.
Fishing Fishing is done individually or in groups by Atis. The simplest method involves using
a hook and line (“bonit”), use a “lagtang” vine to poison fish, different kinds of fishing
nets. Spearguns are also used with locally devised goggles.

Traditional medicine and Medicinal plants and herbs are concocted to make traditional medicine. The variety
healthcare of plants in the country allowed indigenous people to find a cure for almost every
imaginable ailment.
REFERENCES:
Chapter 4 Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 Overall Framework | 7. (n.d.). The National Economic and Development Authority.
http://pdp.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/PDP-2017-2022-07-20-2017.pdf
Donato-Kinomis, X. (2016). Indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSPs). Philippine Statistics Authority.
https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Session%202-
8%20Indigenous%20Knowledge%20Systems%20and%20Practices%20%28IKSP%29%20in%20the%20Teaching%20of%20Science.pdf
Hegina, A. (2016, May 1). 5 Filipinos break into top 100 Asian scientists list. INQUIRER.net. http://globalnation.inquirer.net/139127/5-filipinos-break-into-
top-100-asian-scientists-list
Philippine News Agency (PNA) (2017, February 16). House panel approves bill to boost PH scientific innovations, inventions. Update Philippines.
https://www.update.ph/2017/02/house-panel-bill-to-boost-ph-scientific-innovations-inventions/14502 Sadongdong, M. (2017, December 7).
Lady scientist leads pioneering method to revive Marinduque’s mining wastelands. Manila Bulletin. https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/12/07/lady-
scientist-leads-pioneering-method-to-revive-marinduques-mining-wastelands/
Tumampos, S. (2017, July 16). Duterte reassures support to science, R&D. Business Mirror. https://businessmirror.com.ph/duterte-reassures-support-
to-science-rd
Use of indigenous Filipino materials and methods in building green homes. (2015, October 16). Buensalido + Architects.
http://www.buensalidoarchitects.com/2015/10/use-of-indigenous-filipino-materials-and-methods-in-building-green-homes/
Where are indigenous peoples distributed in the Philippines? (n.d.). Foundation for the Philippine Environment. https://fpe.ph/indigenous-
communities.html/view/where-are-indigenous-peoples-distributed-in-the-philippines/all/0

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