Recognizing "urgency to stay ahead of paradigm shifts", the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-Science for Change Program (S4CP) launched Wednesday, Feb. 10 its website to provide researchers and the public easier access to its "game-changing" projects and programs that seek to accelerate science, technology and innovation in the country.
DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña cited the S4CP’s efforts to quickly adapt and innovate to ensure the continuity of the DOST’s research and development (R&D) activities.
"To sustain our efforts in accelerating R&D, there is need to focus our efforts and resources to strategic solutions. The launch of the S4CP website marks the program’s readiness for the new environment and our commitment to the continued development of R&D projects,” he said during the virtual launch of the S4CP website.
He cited that one of the most notable features in the website is the interactive map of successful S4CP projects and the navigable buttons outlining the sub-programs.
"It is my sincere hope that academic institutions, R&D Institutes and most especially, the private industries, will take time to consider employing R&D in their strategic plans,” de la Peña said.
DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Rowena Cristina L. Guevara said the launch of the S4CP seeks to drum up public support to the government’s R&D initiatives and programs.
“As the world undergoes great transformation, there are economic, social, and technical concerns that need to be addressed. Most of the issues spring from the demand to be innovative,” she said.
“Through the S4CP website, we aim to widen our reach and encourage more academic institutions, R&D Institutes, and private industries nationwide to embrace research for development.”
Dela Peña thanked the academic institutions, industry and government partners who are part of the program for "embracing the challenges of the new environment with an eye to the future.”
"Let us continue making positive changes as we work to ensure that Science is for the Filipino People!"
Among the featured projects in the newly-launched S4CP website are the development of a local technology that would produce pharmaceutical-grade extracts for the local drug manufacturing industry by Herbanext Laboratories, Inc., a Filipino research-oriented natural products company based in Bacolod, Negros Occidental; the establishment of the Seaweed R&D Center in Tawi-Tawi, and the establishment of Solar-Home-Systems for marginalized communities, most especially in remote areas or the PISOLAR Project, which is funded under the DOST - Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (CRADLE).