PHL researchers eye green tech for poverty alleviation

Poverty alleviation is the goal of national research and development, according to the National Research Council of the Philippines at its 79th General Membership Assembly on March 6 and 7.

 

The two-day event featured a plenary talk by attorney Christian Monsod on the first day and a speech by President Aquino (read by his representative) on the second, as well as the bestowing of the NRCP Achievement Awards on nine scientists for their contributions to Philippine and international science. Green technology for poverty alleviation

 

The main business of the event, however, was to formulate the agency’s policies based on its scientific forum, with the title and objective “Poverty Alleviation Through Green Technology Research and Innovation.” 

 

In his speech, outgoing NRCP President Dr. Alvin Culaba said that the agency must be engaged in topics of national interest to remain relevant, and to succeed in its goal of addressing the problem of poverty through scientific research and development. 

 

“We are reminded by the President that the NRCP must play a significant role in promotion and conduct of research in the country,” he said, adding that the budget increase they received will help. For 2012, the budget for science and research in the country, including grants and aid, is P29 million—relatively a small amount, but still over 300% more than the 2011 budget of P9 million. 

The need for more scientific research from the Philippines  

“The government recognizes the importance of committing to undertake relevant research so we can move towards scientific development, significantly increase our publication record, and support research that can be relevant in the global literature,” said Culaba. He added that the scientific community is also expected to contribute to policy research, and this year its goal is working towards poverty alleviation—which will include addressing issues such as health and diseases, green technology and climate change. These were all discussed at the forum.

 

“We want to put together a policy direction that we can submit to congress and the DOST, and put together a package of recommendations to present to the President.”

 

As co-chair of the National Agricultural and Fisheries Council’s Committee on Climate Change of the Climate Change Congress of the Philippines, Christian Monsod also spoke at the forum about the role of green technologies and sustainability in poverty alleviation. 

 

Monsod defined sustainability as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”—that is, providing for the needs of the current generation while considering the needs of future ones.  It is important, he said, for scientists “to help address mass poverty and inequality in as efficient and least costly manner as possible, given our limited resources.” 

Lack of scientific involvement in social transformation  

If it seems that there is a lack of involvement by Philippine science in the transformation of our society, he says, it could be down to several factors, including lack of support from the government and the business community; the “frustration of having to face indifference and incompetence from people in decision-making positions that drive our scientists to other countries”; and being in “a society that does not nurture and celebrate the talents of its citizens because the rich and the powerful are perpetually engaged in the politics of power rather than in harnessing the largely unutilized strengths of science, technology and innovation to lift those being left behind in a vicious cycle of poverty.”

 

"Until these obstacles are tackled, and unless we put the poor at the center of national development," said Monsod, "the country can only be headed for more disappointment for our poor."  — TJD, GMA News