Fifth Republic : Gloria Arroyo
Science & Technology's Golden Age
The then- Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Estrella Albastro dubbed the Gloria Macaraeg Macapagal-Arroyo administration, as the Philippine's “Golden age” whilst the legislation of Republic Act 9367 or the Biofuels Act, promoting the consumption of biofuels throughout the country potentially pushing forth a cheaper alternative to gasoline as a medium in producing energy. President Arroyo had also, considered benefits towards the environment due from cleaner biofuel emission compared to regular fuel.
Reasonably, with Arroyo's will to improving the efficiency of land and water resources too, the Republic Act 10601 aligns research, development, and extension (RDE), promotion, distribution, supply, assembling, manufacturing, regulation, use, operation, maintenance and project implementation of agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment (Section 4). On a farmer's note, drought-free rice were highly encouraged during Arroyo's term. This enabled productivity amongst farmers to cultivate rice despite existent environmental hazards that either slows or stops the production.
“Filipinnovation” was Arroyo's coined term in setting the Philippines to be an innovation hub in Asia. Moreover that, private sectors were encouraged in service of organizing school events or sponsorships to raise students of Science, Technology and Innovations (STI) in the country and help benefit those underprivileged.
Why the Philippine government should provide more support to address problems in S&T?
One of the areas problematizing the growth of science and technology is because of poor quality educational system. As how President Arroyo addressed the strengthening of schools such as the Philippine Science High School (PSHS), which focuses in science, technology and mathematics in their curriculum will eventually generate future Filipino scientists and innovators that could support Philippine research, and mainly, the economy.
References:
Cruz, M. (2022). Gloria supports stronger global sci-tech cooperation. Manila Standard. https://manilastandard.net/news/national/314266172/gloria-supports-stronger-global-sci-tech-cooperation.html
HISOUR. (2023). Philippines Science History. https://www.hisour.com/philippines-science-history-37197/
Sollano, C. (n.d.). Presidents Accomplishments With Science and Technology. Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/presentation/429636648/presidents-accomplishments-with-science-and-technology#
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