MANILA -- Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said on Friday he is grateful for President Rodrigo Duterte's support to science and technology (S&T).
"Like what (Education) Secretary Leonor Briones said during the opening ceremony (of the National Science and Technology Week), about 100 percent of our projects are being approved by the President. So far, all of our (project) proposals were approved," he told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
He cited his proposal to invest on space technology.
"He told me, 'o sige, hahanapan natin ng pondo (okay, we will look for fund)," dela Peña said.
The DOST chief said space technology is useful in many things, such as monitoring national security, as well as the state of agricultural production.
The use of space technology, he said, could send early warnings when the country is threatened by natural disasters, making the country to be more resilient.
In May, the Senate has approved the Philippine Space Development Act which mandates the establishment of a Philippine Space Agency.
Dela Peña said the DOST would always be part of the process and operations, adding that the agency would help in research and could also fund research.
Meanwhile, among the notable support of President Duterte to the S&T sector is the signing of the Balik Scientist Act into a law in June 2018.
The law seeks to provide incentives to Balik Scientists residing abroad and who are contracted to return to the Philippines to work and use their expertise in the country. (PNA)
