The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has invested more than P1 billion for water-related research and development (R&D) to ensure the country’s water sustainability.
The DOST said from 2016 to 2021, the total budget it invested for water-related R&D amounted to P1.07 billion. Of the total amount, P300 million has been spent for industry, P500 million for agriculture technology and the remaining P270 million for Science for Change Program (S4CP) projects to accelerate the water technology initiatives.
The DOST on Tuesday, July 27, presented water-related technologies amounting to over P800 million for the country’s Water Masterplan and to encourage collaboration among stakeholders in water R&D.
“Besides the problem of access to clean water supply, our country is also prone to tropical cyclones that lead to severe flooding,” Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña said in his message.
“For this reason, DOST has included among its priorities the provision of S&T interventions, not only on water supply and sanitation, but also for its management.”
During the event themed “Wave of Action: Forum on Ensuring Water Sustainability through S&T”, DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations, Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang stressed that the water supply landscape in the rural areas and cities present a different set of concerns that require unique intervention.
“As a sustainability mechanism, alternative water collection and small-volume impounding technologies and wastewater treatment and management strategies are continuously being developed and adopted to mitigate water-related issues,” he said.
Undersecretary for R&D Rowena Cristina L. Guevara noted that in the industry sector, the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), has implemented over 70 projects amounting to over P300 million since 2016.
Meanwhile, the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) has invested over P500 million for 40 projects in the agricultural sector “which have produced useful technologies for the environment, industry and governance.”
“To accelerate these water initiatives, DOST also supported 22 projects for over P270 million through the establishment of Niche Centers in the regions for R&D and academe-industry partnerships under the S4CP,” Guevara noted.