The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) thanked Wednesday, March 17, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) for making the lives of every Filipino better, especially during this time of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, even as he urged the Council to continue advocating partnerships in health research to bring science closer to the people.
(TOTO LOZANO / Presidential Photo / FILE PHOTO)
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña expressed his gratitude to the PCHRD, led Executive Director Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, for its commitment to continuously serve as a forward-looking, partnership-based national body responsible for coordinating and monitoring research activities in the country. PCHRD is one of the three sectoral councils of the DOST.
"On behalf of the DOST community, I would like to thank the DOST-PCHRD for its service to our communities and for making the lives of every Filipino better. Through the years, the Council has shown us that in health research, our solidarity makes a big difference. Together, we are stronger,” he said during the PCHRD’s 39th founding anniversary celebration on Wednesday.
"We look forward to your steadfast commitment and hard work, especially now, as health crises continue to pose threats towards our health, economy, and social systems. May you continue to advocate partnerships in health research and serve as a model to the rest of the scientific community,” he added.
He expressed the DOST’s commitment to support the Council and all its undertakings to bring science closer to the people through health technologies and innovation.
He said ensuring the health of everyone, regardless of race, age and status in life, increases chances to beat the pandemic as swiftly as possible.
"We have come a long way from where we started a year ago. However, what we must keep in mind is that what made these breakthroughs in COVID-19 research possible is the solidarity between the scientific community. And it is also only through this will we be able to continue progressing towards a COVID-free world,” de la Peña said.
"Indeed, we cannot overemphasize how partnerships in R&D contribute to building strong health systems around the world.”