DOST outlines 2006 agenda, focuses on biotech and ICT

By Alexander Villafania, INQ7.net

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is finalizing its agenda for 2006, which includes expanding research on biotechnology and information and communications technology.

The agency is also setting its sights on strengthening R&D on environmental management and pharmaceuticals.

Top DOST executives are currently meeting at the PHINMA Training Center in Silang Cavite to discuss the agency’s issues and objectives for this year.

DOST Undersecretary Fortunato de la Peña said in a phone interview that the agency is stepping up efforts to sustain existing R&D projects in all four areas. He said ICT R&D plans should be set according to the needs of various DOST sub-agencies.

“We also want our offices to be connected to each other and so we’re hoping that our ICT programs would benefit the DOST first until we could commercialize them,” de la Peña said.

The undersecretary also noted that among their key goals this year is to get more financial and technical assistance for the country’s inventors, improve human resource development to create more masters and doctorate degrees, and “high-impact” projects on a regional scale.

“The DOST has to set different goals for various aspects of science research. These goals should either sustain or become building blocks of the country’s science and technology community,” De la Peña said.

The DOST is requesting a 2.8-billion-peso budget to continue its projects for 2006.