The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) expressed hope on Wednesday, July 14, that Congress will give in to the call of top United States infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci to invest more on scientific research and development (R&D) to fight the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and other future health threats.
The DOST-PCIEERD thanked Fauci for calling for more R&D investments during the 43rd Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) on Tuesday, July 13.
“We hope our lawmakers heed his call as we prepare the budget for 2022,” the Council said in a statement on Wednesday, July 14.
Fauci cited the “importance of sustained local support for scientists and scientific institutions in the Philippines and elsewhere.”
Related story: https://mb.com.ph/2021/07/13/fauci-encourages-ph-other-nations-to-invest-more-on-scientific-research-to-fight-pandemics/
"For DOST-PCIEERD alone, we are hoping to support 127 projects next year with a total funding requirement of P1.8 billion. These projects will be implemented in various regions in the country by 57 research and development institutes and higher education institutions.”
The DOST-PCIEERD cited the importance for the government to pour in more resources in R&D investments amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Truly, the pandemic highlighted the need for a robust R&D system that can withstand sudden disruptions and be resilient in challenging times,” it said.
The DOST-PCIEERD also called on the public to support the country’s researchers and scientists and their locally developed technologies.
“We also rally the Filipino people to continue supporting our researchers who continuously make innovation work for the people,” it said.
“Let us support the technologies that we are churning out and we call on the industry to take a look at these valuable R&D products to license, adopt, or commercialize and see how it can improve their systems and processes,” it added.