CHAPTER IV

THE PHILIPPINE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENDA AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Philippine science and technology agenda - or research and development agenda, have five sectors, namely: National
Integrated Basic Research Agenda; Health Research and Development Agenda; Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources;
Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology; and Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation
Philippine major development S&T programs -science-related programs and projects spearheaded by the Department of
Science and Technology

Philippine Government Science and Technology Agenda

Science and technology plays an integral part in human development and the society because it can put an end to
ignorance, increase perception of a fact or a situation, and awaken ability to use all resources and creativity to improve the
quality of life and sustainable environment. Significant breakthroughs can only be achieved through a strong science foundation.
Various significant changes that happened in the society are brought about by science and its technology. But what does really
happen in the Philippine setting? Let us look at it very closely.
The Harmonized National R&D Agenda (HNRDA) 2017-2022 was prepared by the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST), in collaboration with the government and other concerned private agencies and institutions to make certain
that all the S&T endeavors are directed toward the realization of economic and social benefits of mankind. The agenda is in line
with AmBisyon Natin 2040: matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay para sa lahat, which has three pillars: Malasakit
(enhancing the social fabric), Pagbabago (reducing inequality) and Kaunlaran (increasing potential growth).

The HNRDA is organized into 5 sectors (look at the picture on the right)

1. National Integrated Basic Research Agenda

To express support in the Philippine Development Plan, National Security Plan,
and the Science for Change Program led by DOST, the National Integrated Basic Research
Agenda (NIBRA) focus on basic principles of research. It has six programs, namely:
a. Water Security - TUBIG Program (Tubig ay Buhayin at Ingatan)
b. Food and Nutrition Security - SAPAT Program (Saganang Pagkain Para sa Lahat)
c. Health Sufficiency - LIKAS Program (Likas Yaman sa Kalusugan)
d. Clean Energy - ALERT Program (Alternative Energy Research Trends)
e. Sustainable Community - SAKLAW Program (Saklolo sa Lawa)
f. Inclusive Nation-building - ATIN program (Ang Tinig Natin) The HNRDA is organized into 5 sectors

2. Health research and development agenda

The collaborating agencies for health research and development agenda are the Philippine Council for Health Research
and Development (PCHRD) under the DOST and the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA).
The research priorities for this agenda include diagnostics, drug discovery and development, functional foods, hospital
equipment and biomedical devices, information and communication technology for health, nutrition, food quality and safety,
disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and molecular technologies for health.
3. Agriculture aquatic and natural resources
The research priorities for agriculture, aquatic and natural resources include crops, livestock, aquaculture, forestry,
natural resources and environment, technology transfer, socio economics, and policy research.
4. Industry, energy and emerging technology
The Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD-DOST) is
responsible for the implementation of research priorities of this agenda. The research priorities focus on food and nutrition
security, countryside development, competitive industry, delivery of social services, intelligent transport solutions, renewable
energy and energy storage solutions, and human security
5. Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation
The research priorities for this agenda were evaluated and finalized by a group of people from the Philippine Institute of
Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA).
Its research priorities are directed toward observation and monitoring networks, technology development and
application for monitoring, modelling and simulation for improvement of monitoring and forecasting; hazards, vulnerability and
risk assessment; warning and communication of information; technology development and application for climate change
mitigation and adaptation; technology development and application for disaster risk management; and policy

Agencies responsible for the implementation of the Harmonized R&D Agenda 2017-2022
 Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - the lead agency responsible for the preparation of Harmonized R&D
Agenda.
 National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) - agency composed of over four thousand researchers, scientists and
experts who are tasked to promote and support basic researches in the country.
  Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) - agency mandated as the national coordinating body for
health researches in the country.
 Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) - the agency which
aims to strengthen support in research and development, development of human resource and institution, diffusion of
information and technology, and development of policies.
 Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) the agency which evaluates and harmonizes the agenda for
disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. It is also responsible for relaying messages to people about the
existence of danger and what can be done to prevent or minimize danger.
 Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) - collaborates with PHIVOLCS in
evaluating and finalizing the agenda for disaster risk reduction and climate change. This agency is also responsible for
giving typhoon signals and tsunami alerts to warn people of the things to be done for their safety.
 Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) agency which
conducts a round table consultation with the representatives from other agencies doing R & D functions in agriculture,
aquatic and natural resources.

Government Policies Pertaining to Science and Technology

Some policies or guidelines were created by the government about science and technology to contribute to nation
building (Congress of the Philippines, 2009). They are

1. Republic Act 10055 -known as the Philippine Technology Transfer Act of 2009 which aims to provide a framework and support
system for the ownership, management, use and commercialization of intellectual property resulting from research and
development funded by the government.
2. Republic Act 2067 -known as Science Act of 1958 which focuses on the integration, coordination, and intensification of
scientific and technological research and development and fostering inventions, to provide funds and for other purposes.

Major Science and Technology Development Programs in the Philippines

DOST is the prime mover in formulating policies and rules in the science and technology discipline that helps in uplifting
the country's economic status. One of its major programs called the Balik Scientist Program was launched to motivate well-
trained overseas Filipino experts in their own fields, to come home to the Philippines and share their expertise for the
acceleration of the scientific agro-industrial and economic development of the country. This program was developed in 1975 to
become an instrument in reinforcing the government's scientific and technological human resources. The Balik Scientists have
played a significant role in generating solutions to national problems. Today, this program is still one of the strategic programs of
the DOST with the objective of achieving higher level of competitiveness for the success and progress of the economy.
PCAARRD has funded a program that has produced the irradiated carrageenan fertilizer. This collaboration between
nuclear scientists and agriculturists has led to the recognition that this product boosts the resiliency of rice plants increasing the
yield by 65 percent.
The cara-vita organic fertilizer has been tried in the fields of Pulilan, Bulacan: Victoria and Los Baños in Laguna:
Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, and Iloilo. This was distributed to farmers for free in 2016. This 50-million worth program will benefit
at least 30,000 hectares of our rice lands.
Another feather was added to the cap of the DOST R&D when they completed the Electric Train Project in 2015. This
was created to enhance the efficiency of public mass transport systems. The ERT was adopted by the Department of
Transportations and Communications (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 2015).
Through collaboration of three agencies such as PAGASA, PHIVOLCS and Advanced Science and Technology Institute
(ASTI), DOST also developed a more accurate and responsive disaster prevention and mitigation system which was named
project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazard). It is the primary disaster risk reduction and management
program of the Philippines. In partnership with the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences and the UP College of
Engineering. The project began in 2012 and was almost completed in 2015, so the technology and output of the project will be
turned over to PAGASA (Official Gazette.gov.ph). This project has the following components:

 Coastal Hazards and Storm Surge Assessment and Mitigation (CHASSAM)

 Disaster Risk Exposure Assessment for Mitigation - Light Detection and Ranging (DREAM-LIDAR) Project
 Distribution of Hydrometeorological Devices in hard-hit areas in the Philippines (Hydromet)
 Enhancing Geohazards Mapping through LIDAR technology
 Flood Information Network (FloodNET) Project
 Landslide Sensors Development Project
 Local Development of Doppler Radar Systems (LaDDERS)
 Weather Hazard Information Project (WHIP)

To identify hazard-prone areas in the country, DOST launched its P1-billion comprehensive mapping project in 2012.
Named as DREAM or Disaster Risk and Exposure Assessment for Mitigation Program or the three-dimensional (3D) mapping
program, it uses the LIDAR system to effectively and accurately measure critical flood elevation and depth. DREAM is considered
one of the most extensive mapping systems in Southeast Asia developed by Filipino scientists.

This reviewer is made by Yna Amor Asma