SEN. Bam Aquino urged the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to ensure that its proposed P30.87-billion budget for 2027 translates into tangible benefits for Filipinos.
Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum earlier said science and technology should be felt in the daily lives of Filipinos.
Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology and vice chairman of the Committee on Finance, made the call during the DOST budget hearing on Monday.
The proposed DOST budget prioritizes research and development and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) scholarships. The department has earmarked P8.01 billion for its Grants-In-Aid program, while P8.67 billion is proposed for the Philippine Science High School System and the DOST-Science Education Institute scholarship programs. The scholarship allocation is expected to support 67,504 scholars nationwide.
Aquino said investments in science and technology should help increase agricultural and fisheries yields, extend food shelf life, reduce wastage, and improve production, energy, transportation, and distribution efficiency.
He highlighted technology’s potential to help small businesses produce food, medicine, and other essential goods at lower costs, benefiting consumers through more affordable products and services.
Aquino also emphasized DOST’s role in disaster preparedness and risk reduction, including weather forecasting, hazard mapping, early warning systems, flood monitoring, and climate-resilient technologies.
The proposed DOST allocation forms part of the P7.2-trillion National Expenditure Program for 2027, which the government says prioritizes investments in education, health, food security, infrastructure, digitalization, climate resilience, and social protection.
