Solons say DOST needs upgrade, to push for budget hike

Several lawmakers vowed to push for an increase in the budget of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in 2023 to give the country's prime science agency the needed upgrade.

The proposed budget for the department in 2023 totals P24.06 billion, slightly lower than its current budget of P24.27 billion.

On Wednesday's deliberation at the House of Representatives, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said the department originally proposed P44.17 billion.   He said most of the completion of its centers will be affected by the lower budget.

“We have been asking for the completion of our provincial science and technology centers, DOST buildings, the facilities for PAGASA and PHIVOLCS, and regional offices, especially the regional science and technology laboratories. Also, we want our digital transformation expanded, those are the ones affected,” Solidum said.

Baguio City Representative Mark Go appealed to increase the DOST’s budget to allow the agency to upgrade its instruments and facilities.

“I would like also to ask to increase your budget. You know you asked for more than P40 billion and you will be given P24 [billion] eh mukhang wala ho tayong magamit [at] mabiling instrumento para makatulong sa DOST,” Go said.

“I would like to ask the specific yun pong talagang kailangan ninyong mga programa na dapat maiplement at magkano yon, siguro hindi naman dapat increasan ng ganun kalaki, but a certain portion of the amount that was slashed can be brought back to the budget so that we would have an additional budget for DOST,” he added.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez expressed “disappointment” with the department's reduced budget.

“We are really disappointed with the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) for slashing your budget," he said.

"With the budget that we have now P24 billion, we are not only looking back but we are stepping back. I wished to inform this committee that we have to really fight for the restoration of the budget proposed by our DOST agency,” he said.

Rodriguez also called on his fellow lawmakers to stand behind DOST to give it even a portion of its original proposal.

“To me let us all unite to be able to give them back. Probably, not the P20 billion but the rule of thumb is that most of the departments, judiciary, and the others have always asked for at least 10 percent or P2 billion of what was cut, which is reasonable,” he added.

Based on Solidum’s presentation, the DOST proposed budget will be allocated to scientific and technical services with P12.14 billion (50.46%) and the office of the secretary including the regional offices with P6.09 billion (25.32%).

Portions of the budget will also be allocated to the sectoral councils with P3.06 billion (12.72%), research and development institutes with P2.50 billion (10.39%), and advisory bodies with P27 million (1.11%).—LDF, GMA News