Press Release
March 13, 2008

ANGARA CHALLENGES SCIENTISTS, CALLS FOR OUTSTANDING RESEARCH PROPOSALS

Senator Edgardo J. Angara today posed a challenge to scientists and academicians to produce outstanding basic research proposals, and pledged P20 million to pursue the five best research ideas.

Speaking today at the 75th annual meeting of the National Research Council of the Philippines, Angara stressed the importance of basic research in innovation and national development.

"It is in doing basic research that scientists are able to push the frontiers of knowledge. This is where new ideas come from - the kinds of ideas that give us answers on what to do with, say, water shortage, energy depletion, or chronic diseases; and the kinds of ideas that help us respond to poverty and economic growth in strategic ways, " Angara said.

He added, "basic research is the pacemaker of technological progress. Innovation after innovation has been mostly derived from basic research."

Computers, polio vaccine, penicillin, jet propulsion, and disease-resistant grains and vegetables are some examples of scientific advances from basic research that have improved people's quality of life.

Further, he outlined the conditions necessary to support innovation:

a) incentives that would attract and keep our brilliant scientists in this country;

b) flexibility to set and pursue a research agenda;

c) competition for research grants;

d) networks of scientists within the country and in other countries of the world; and

e) inter-disciplinary and inter-institutional linkages with traditional and non-traditional partners.

Discussing critical basic research prospects for the future, Angara cited genetic research for better treatments for Alzheimer's, cancer, and other diseases, as well as lighter and stronger composite materials for applications in transportation, medicine, and the military.

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