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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Robin says this agency holds the key to unlocking PH's natural resources

Robin says this agency holds the key to unlocking PH's natural resources

Published Oct 18, 2022 11:23 am

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) holds the key to discovering and harnessing the country’s natural resources, which could help the Philippines solve its debt and energy problems, Senator Robinhood "Robin" Padilla said.

A science-based method of unlocking new technologies in using natural resources for energy - including nuclear power - could address the problem of high costs of power as well as its potential shortage, he pointed out.

Similarly, Padilla said a science-based method of locally processing minerals might mean big revenues, in turn helping address the country's debt problems.

"Kaya kami nakikiusap at ako kumakatok sa pintuan ng DOST, dahil nasa inyo ang pag-asa, kung magkakaroon talaga tayo ng pagsasaliksik sa agham at talagang gagamitin natin lahat ng resources ng bansa (This is why we are knocking on the doors of the DOST - because our hope lies with you - in finding ways to harness our natural resources)," Padilla said at the Senate hearing on the proposed 2023 budget of the DOST.

"Isipin nyo: Langis, gas, gold, copper, nickel, bromate - lahat na nasa atin na po, $1.4 trilyon napakalaking bagay po sana. At kayo ang tinitingnan namin talagang makaka-solve sa problema ng Inang Bayang Pilipinas (Just think about it - oil, gas, gold, copper, nickel, bromate - all these minerals are found here. The information that all our metallic mineral reserves amounting to $1.4 trillion means a lot. And we are counting on the DOST to solve our problems in this regard by finding ways to harness them)," he added.

Also, Padilla noted it was sad that the Philippines, despite having so much natural resources, will borrow some P2.207 trillion for next year.

During the hearing, Enrico Paringit, Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), noted there are projects to find ways to locally process copper and nickel in the Philippines - a potential major source of income.

Philippine Nuclear Research Institute director Carlo Arcilla added they continue to conduct research on nuclear power plants to address the problem of energy.

Arcilla added they can run the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) safely, although the political decision on whether to allow the BNPP to run lies with the Department of Energy (DOE).

"Gusto ko malaman nyo na napakalaki ng responsibilidad ninyo (I want you to know that you have a big responsibility)," Padilla told the DOST.

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