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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Capitalize on S&T: Tolentino cites PhilSA, DOST's role in PH dev't

Capitalize on S&T: Tolentino cites PhilSA, DOST's role in PH dev't

Published Nov 18, 2023 10:15 am

At A Glance

  • Senator Francis Tolentino underscored how the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have been vital in various areas that seek to improve the country's development. 

Senator Francis Tolentino underscored how the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have been vital in various areas that seek to improve the country's development.

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Sen. Francis T,olentino stresses on Friday, November 17, 2023, the importance of capitalizing on science and technology programs to further aid the country's development.

Tolentino presented PhilSA's significant achievements in disaster risk management, national security, and agriculture during his sponsorship of the agency's 2024 budget at the Senate.

The senator said that the agency was able to enhance satellite data for disaster risk reduction and monitoring of the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

He added that PhilSA was able to conduct “117,952 person-hours of training and intensive workshops on utilizing satellite data for various groups in the country working on national security, environmental monitoring, agriculture, and DRRM".

According to Tolentino, PhilSA also had a hand with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in shutting down illegal mining sites through the establishment of a geospatial database office.

The Senator further said that through PhilSA, the Philippines will become a “hub for Copernicus Space Data" in Southeast Asia. The said data is the leading provider of Earth observation data for service providers and public authorities, which can be used to improve the quality of life of the citizens.

Meanwhile, he also urged the utilization of the studies produced by the DOST which can help other agencies improve their respective services.

He underscored the importance of capitalizing on science and technology programs to further aid the country's development. Tolentino cited the Global Finance Magazine's 2023 Ranking of the World’s Most Technologically Advanced Countries And Territories which placed the Philippines at 63rd out of 65 countries in terms of technological advancement.

The senator observed that leaders in technological advancement were also among the world's richest countries. This, Tolentino said, "highlights the connection between progress and science and technology".


“Studies produced by the DOST family not being utilized by the other government agencies is not a problem of lack of scientific research and data coming from the DOST, but the seemingly lack of utilization on the part of other government agencies,” Tolentino said during his defense of the P26.73-billion DOST budget for 2024 on Friday.

He added that the rationalization can generate “a fusion of government outputs for a more cohesive and efficient bureaucracy".


This comes after Senate Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva queried the overlapping functions of some DOST-attached agencies with other executive agencies.

Tolentino clarified that the DOST is the one assigned to research and development and “the other government entities are supposed to coordinate".

“Perhaps there must be a research and development office in every local government office,” he suggested.

Tolentino told his colleagues that programs of the DOST still need budgetary support from the government.

The senators also tackled the most pressing issues related to DOST, such as the recent quake in the southern Philippines, the Food Stamp program of the administration, rightsizing, and flood management, among others.

In connection with the 6.8 magnitude earthquake in the southern Philippines, Tolentino underscored that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), a DOST-attached agency, has a “quick response team” tending to the affected areas.

He likewise said that the agency is vital in monitoring aftershocks.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel lauded the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) for its valuable input in the administration’s flagship project, the Food Stamp program.

Related Tags

Senator Francis Tolentino Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
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