Science and technology will now play a part in addressing growing challenges in safe maritime transport, cleaner seas, and maritime defense and jurisdiction in the country through an agreement signed by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
DOST-PCIEERD and PCG formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday, July 4, in a short ceremony at the PCG National Headquarters in Port Area, in Manila.
According to DOST-PCIEERD, the partnership seeks to establish and develop a cooperation to address the growing challenges in the country’s maritime sector, with science and technology providing relevant interventions and solutions.
It added that there will be a joint committee composed of three members from the Innovation Council and three from PCG who will lead the crafting of framework for scientific and technical cooperation and collaboration and other aspects of research, development, and acquisition through technology transfer and development of local technologies with the objective of strengthening the country’s maritime defense and security capabilities.
This will also specifically cover research and development programs and project conceptualization and implementation; joint research; training and conferences; human resources and information exchange; facilities sharing and development; joint and sponsored publications; national and international networking and exchange programs; product and service testing and certification, and other related activities.
“With the rapid advancement in science and technology, this partnership with PCG is critical toward securing and improving our maritime capability, at the same time, asserting our rights to our territorial waters,” DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit said.
“This cooperation will center on the crafting of programs, projects, and policies for maritime peace and security based on the National R&D agenda and S&T intervention plan not only to support the defense missions of PCG and protect our people against threats and disputes in the seas but also to provide safe and efficient maritime transport systems and services through S&T utilization and applications,” he added.
Paringit is also looking forward to more partnerships from the government to fully maximize the potential of science, technology, and innovation in the country.
Also there during the event were PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio M. Abu, PCIEERD Energy and Utilities Systems Technology Development Division (ETDD) Chief Engr. Nonilo A. Pena, and PCG Commander for Coast Guard Weapons, Communications, Electronics, and Information System Command (CGWCEISC) Rear Admiral Allan Victor T. Dela Vega.