Robredo: Gov't should massively support local scientists from now on
Published Apr 26, 2020 12:00 am
By Raymund Antonio
The government should give more support to Filipino scientists and increase budget for science and technology innovation in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Sunday.
Vice President Leni Robredo
(OVP / MANILA BULLETIN) “Kung mayroon man akong ninanais na sana itong nangyayari sa atin ngayon maging eye-opener sa pamahalaan,” Robredo said on her weekly radio show, “BISErbisyong Leni.” (If there is something I’m hoping for is that our current situation should serve as an eye-opener for the government.) “Hindi lang sa executive pero siguro lalo na sa Kongreso na taasan ’yung budget sa science and technology. Kasi ito talaga 'yung parating napapabayaan,” she stressed. (It’s not only the executive, but especially the Congress, to increase the budget for science and technology. Because this has been always neglected.) Robredo’s co-host Ely Saludar sought the vice president for comment on the reward for Filipino scientists who could develop the vaccine against COVID-19. In his last week’s taped address to the nation, President Duterte announced he was raising the incentive to P50 million from the original P10 million reward. But more than the vaccine, Robredo underscored the importance to provide the much-needed support and equipment to Filipino scientists. The vice president said the health crisis must serve as a lesson to prioritize policies supporting science and technology. 'Pag nagkakaroon ng ganitong sakuna saka natin narerealize kung gaano siya kahalaga. So iyong sa akin, siyempre parati nating gusto na mayroong discovery na manggaling sa atin pero tingin ko iyong mas hihigit pa diyan iyong suporta pagkatapos nito,” she said. (We only realize how important it is when this kind of crisis occurs. So for me, we always want to have our own discovery, but I think the support is more important when this is over.) ”Ang dami nating mahuhusay na tao, ang dami nating mahuhusay na scientists sa kasamaang palad hindi lang sapat iyong suporta sa kanila,” she added. (We have lot of good people, we have many good scientists, but unfortunately the support for them is not enough.)
Vice President Leni Robredo(OVP / MANILA BULLETIN) “Kung mayroon man akong ninanais na sana itong nangyayari sa atin ngayon maging eye-opener sa pamahalaan,” Robredo said on her weekly radio show, “BISErbisyong Leni.” (If there is something I’m hoping for is that our current situation should serve as an eye-opener for the government.) “Hindi lang sa executive pero siguro lalo na sa Kongreso na taasan ’yung budget sa science and technology. Kasi ito talaga 'yung parating napapabayaan,” she stressed. (It’s not only the executive, but especially the Congress, to increase the budget for science and technology. Because this has been always neglected.) Robredo’s co-host Ely Saludar sought the vice president for comment on the reward for Filipino scientists who could develop the vaccine against COVID-19. In his last week’s taped address to the nation, President Duterte announced he was raising the incentive to P50 million from the original P10 million reward. But more than the vaccine, Robredo underscored the importance to provide the much-needed support and equipment to Filipino scientists. The vice president said the health crisis must serve as a lesson to prioritize policies supporting science and technology. 'Pag nagkakaroon ng ganitong sakuna saka natin narerealize kung gaano siya kahalaga. So iyong sa akin, siyempre parati nating gusto na mayroong discovery na manggaling sa atin pero tingin ko iyong mas hihigit pa diyan iyong suporta pagkatapos nito,” she said. (We only realize how important it is when this kind of crisis occurs. So for me, we always want to have our own discovery, but I think the support is more important when this is over.) ”Ang dami nating mahuhusay na tao, ang dami nating mahuhusay na scientists sa kasamaang palad hindi lang sapat iyong suporta sa kanila,” she added. (We have lot of good people, we have many good scientists, but unfortunately the support for them is not enough.)