SCIENCE and technology, ably backed by creative research and development, are crucial drivers and propellers for change towards meaningful inclusive economic growth and comprehensive national progress.
This is what the proposed ‘Science for Change Program (S4CP)’ bill Albay Rep. Joey S. Salceda authored, is all about. The House Committee on Science and Technology has already approved the measure. Recognizing its vital importance, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has directed the House to prioritize it when Congress resumes sessions later this month.
House Bill 4581 or S4CP aims to accelerate investments in Science and Technology and boost scientific innovations and inventions, and research and development to further enhance the country’s global competitiveness.
Salceda formulated the S4CP in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and the country’s science/technology – research/development community. He has also principally authored two other urgent measures both considered game changers – the Universal Access to Tertiary Education, now awaiting President Duterte’s signature, and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN), the government’s comprehensive tax reform package now with the Bicameral committee.
To highlight its importance, S4CP, also dubbed as “Science for the People,” has a proposed P21-billion R&D budget next year that will nearly double yearly over the next five years, and could reach P672 billion in 2022. The government’s total R&D budget for 2017 is only P5.8 billion.
Speaking before UP’s National Institute of Physics (NIP) Class 2017 graduates recently, Salceda cited the crucial role scientists and researchers play in the country’s race for global competitiveness. In his speech, he challenged the NIP graduates and professors to “take their success to the next level” and support the S4CP.
He said NIP and its graduates can play significant roles in programs S4CP seeks to promote and enhance – Human Security R&D (NIP has expertise in terahertz technology); Strengthening R&D in the regions; and Artificial intelligence – and in its other component programs including the Grand Plan for S&T HRD, and Accelerated Research and Development (R&D) Program for Capacity Building of R&D Institutions and Industrial Competitiveness.
Salceda said two factors impelled him to formulate S4CP – the recent UNESCO assessment that the country critically needs to increase the number of its researchers, scientists and engineers (RSE); and the hiked DoST budget which includes higher appropriations for the Philippine Science High School and DoST’s Science Education Institute.
