DOST to implement 5-point development plan this year

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will fully implement the “Five Point Development Program” starting this year, which is in line with the present administration’s national development agenda.

DOST secretary Mario G. Montejo said that the agency will explore avenues opened by public-private partnerships (PPPs) to use Science and Technology (S&T) to solve pressing national problems.

“We will rely heavily on our research and development programs to address dengue, tele-health services, potable water, malnutrition, rice shortage, brown/fortified rice, baby food program, coral reef rehabilitation, disaster mitigation, red tide control management, and the Fusarium Wilt infestation problem affecting banana plantations, among others,” said Montejo in his 2012 projection report.

Countryside development is the agency’s second important focus, as DOST will also develop and diffuse appropriate technologies to create growth in the country, like world-class technology-based products, food processing technologies and super farms.

Also, he said that another important priority of the agency, is the improve industry competitiveness.

“We already have the Automated Gateway Transit System, while under various stages of development prototyping are technologies that can raise the productivity of industries spanning from BPO, electronics, renewable energy [solar, wind], and mining industry—[gold, copper, nickel, pilot processing plant],” he said.

Montejo added that DOST will use S&T to enhance the delivery of government and social services. Initiatives along this time include the Government Broadband Network, National Telehealth Services, and the National 3D Mapping.

Finally, he said the agency will build and enhance capacity in emerging technologies such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, genomics, advanced food production technology, and advanced manufacturing systems like in robotics and automated process control.— (FREEMAN)