THE DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology recently launched its first virtual 2020 National Science and Technology Week celebration via Facebook live.

With the theme “Agham at Teknolohiya: Sandigan ng Kalusugan, Kabuhayan, Kaayusan, at Kinabukasan”, this year’s NSTW aims to highlight different innovative solutions and new science and technology knowledge related to agriculture, livelihood and enterprise development, safety, health and nutrition, education, disaster preparedness, and community development.

“The pandemic did not deter us from celebrating the 2020 NSTW. On the contrary, it inspired us more to think outside the box. In reality, it helps us to be more creative, be more resourceful, and be more innovative,” DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said.

“Pangako ng DOST ang NSTW sa taumbayan bawat taon at kahit na may pandemya ay hindi namin kayo dapat biguin. It may have been a challenge, but it is not impossible. With the power of technology, we were able to design virtual exhibits,” De la Peña added.

DOST believes that the NSTW has become a beacon of hope as the department aims to bring science closer to the people.

At the virtual kick-off, the DOST recognized outstanding research projects in the 2020 National Science and Technology Awards.

It declared two winners for the Outstanding Research and Development Award for Basic Research or the Eduardo A. Quisimbing Medal — Dr. Rachel June Ravago Gotanco of the Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman for her research titled, “Rarity of the ‘common’ coral Pocillopora damicornis in the western Philippine archipelago” and Dr. Roel R. Suralta, with co-authors Jennifer M. Mangkil, Jonathan M. Manangkil, Jonathan M. Niones, Jerwin R. Undan, Mitsuhiro Obara, Teodora E. Mananghaya, Rachelle P. Mallari, Maybell DM. Banting, Sherilyn B. Estrada, and Mark Philip B. Castillo for their research titled, “Quantitative Trait Loci Associated with Root Elongation Ability of Rice under Nitrogen-deficient Condition”.

The Outstanding Research and Development Award for Applied Research or the Julian A. Banzon Medal was awarded to Dr. Erwin P. Enriquez of the Ateneo de Manila University with co-authors Sarah May Sibug-Torres and Isagani D. Padolina for their research titled “Field-ready tools for fingerprinting of herbal materials for the medicinal plant industry”.

The Outstanding Science Administrator Award or the Dioscoro L. Umali Medal was given to Dr. Cynthia P. Saloma of the Philippine Genome Center in recognition of her profound and lasting contributions as Executive Director of the Philippine Genome Center of the University of the Philippines System.