AAMBIS-OWA Partylist Representative Sharon Garin is pushing for a measure that will institutionalize the Science for Change Program.

The program is a national strategy to accelerate the development of science, technology and innovation in the country.

Garin said that the partnership between sustainable development and science is essential for a country to accelerate progress.

To make significant advances in science, technology and innovation, UNESCO recommends that developing countries must have at least 380 researchers, scientists and engineers per million population and at least one percent of gross domestic product expenditure on research and development.

“Sadly, the budget of the Department of Science and Technology has decreased from P21.02 billion in 2018 to P20.1 billion in 2020,” she said.

House Bill 7193 or the proposed Science for Change Act, mandates the DOST to formulate and develop the Science for Change Program in coordination with government agencies, including state universities and colleges and representatives from the private sector undertaking research and development.

Under the bill, all national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, SUCs, and local government units performing Science, Technology and Innovation initiatives are mandated to help develop and implement critical and strategic technology development projects and adopt government-funded locally developed technologies.