AsianScientist (Sep. 18, 2018) – Four months after Philippine lawmaker Leila de Lima filed a resolution to commend Filipino scientists who were part of the 2018 Asian Scientist 100 list, another legislator has followed suit.
The Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, which is the country’s medium-term development agenda, highlighted the Philippines’ lackluster performance in producing innovators, researchers and knowledge leaders. This warrants efforts to encourage interest in research and development among the Philippines population.
Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, the Senate Committee on Science and Technology chairperson, has urged his colleagues to commend eight Filipino researchers, including marine scientist Aletta Yniguez, biologist Phillip Alviola, astrophysicist Rogel Mari Sese, immunologist Mario Antonio Jiz II, geologist Jeffrey Perez, engineer Lanndon Ocampo, radiation chemist Lucille Abad and photonics researcher Nathaniel Hermosa II.
Both Senator Leila de Lima and Aquino’s Senate Resolutions are pending before the Committee on Rules. Aquino believes that this commendation is a way to recognize the major role that scientists play in nation-building.
“Science can help solve some of our nation’s biggest problems, like disaster preparedness, effective delivery of healthcare and other social services, hunger and nutrition, poverty and unemployment. The challenge for us today is to ramp up support for Filipino scientists, engineers and researchers so they can help build a better Philippines for all,” he told Asian Scientist Magazine.
Aquino, who has also authored a law encouraging Filipino researchers abroad to return home, said that every country needs scientists to improve the lives of the citizens and to help the nation progress.
———
Copyright: Asian Scientist Magazine; Photo: Pexels.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
