MANILA – Inilatag na ng Department of Science and Technology (DOST) ang listahan ng kanilang mga prayoridad na programa ngayong taon, lalo na’t may hinaharap pa ring pandemya ang bansa dahil sa coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Ayon sa DOST, palalakasin nila ang mga inisyatibong may kinalaman sa research and development (R&D), na nakaayon sa National Harmonized R&D Agenda (HNRDA).
Isa ang HNRDA sa mga inisyatibo sa ilalim ng Philippine Development Plan for 2017-2022, na panukala ng Science department.
Layunin ng Agenda na palawigin pa ang mga pag-aaral para maging batayan ng mga inisyatibo na magpapalakas sa iba pang pananaliksik.
“We will also put into operation the newest state of the art facilities of DOST to enable us to serve our different publics – industry, academe, government communities,” ayon sa online post ng ahensya.
Bukod sa R&D initiatives, paiigtingin din daw ng DOST ang mga programa at proyektong may kinalaman sa Disaster Risk Reduction.
Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng paglalaan ng mga angkop na pasilidad sa bawat rehiyon.
“Providing them with needed R&D facilities and funding to address the critical problems, present and projected which are brought about by disasters and extreme natural conditions. The NICER (niche R&D center in the regions) programs will focus more on industry & energy related R&D, DRR R&D, and biomedical devices development.”
Sa aspeto naman ng human resource development, tutulungan ng DOST ang mga scholar nito sa pamamagitan ng mga polisiyang makaka-agapay sa hamon ng pandemya.
Kabilang sa mga priority R&D areas ng ahensya ay ang:
AGRICULTURE, AQUATIC & NATURAL RESOURCES
- Expansion of the coconut hybridization program in cooperation with the Philippine Coconut Authority
- Additional R&D projects in support of the Native Livestock Development Program
- R&D on aquaculture species which have potentials for food security and export: Giant Freshwater Shrimp or “Ulang” and Saline Tilapia
- R&D in support of native fruits for which niche R&D centers in the regions (NICERs) have been put up: citrus, queen pineapple and tamarind
- Pilot testing of locally developed agricultural machines.
INDUSTRY, ENERGY, EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
- Smart Food Value Chain
- MSMEs Low Carbon Transition
- Sustainable Mineral Resources Utilization
- Use of AI and Robotics Technologies for Infrastructure and Disaster Management Application
- Space Technology Applications in Public Services
HEALTH
11. An Anti-Dengue Tablet
12. COVID-19 Programs
13. Food Safety and Nutrition
14. Biomedical Services
15. Virology Research & Studies
Tiniyak ng Science department na susuportahan nila ang magiging bunga ng mga pag-aaral, lalo na ang mga magnanais magtayo ng negosyo.
“The utilization or commercialization of completed R&D outputs will remain a top concern. Support to start-ups will be given high priority including technology business incubation, and more collaborative R&D projects between industry and academe or RDI’s will be supported.”
Sa ilalim ng 2021 national budget, tinapyasan ng higit P800-million ang pondong alokasyon sana para sa R&D projects ng DOST.
