Country's effort to achieve global competitiveness should move further
ANGARA EYES MORE SUPPORT AND INVESTMENTS IN SCIENCE & TECH

Senator Edgardo J. Angara reaffirms unfathomable support in education; emphasizes the vital role of science and technology in the global stage and urged to direct efforts on research and development innovation and investments to achieve global competitiveness.

"Building a strong Science & Technology (S&T) foundation is necessary for the country to push forward and become more competitive," said Angara who chairs Senate Committee on Science and Technology.

He added, "Science and Technology is not given utmost attention in relation to its role in the progress of our country making it imperative for the country to enact a responsive policy instrument that is responsive to the demands of global trends."

Earlier this year, there were efforts made to pool the limited Research and Development (R&D) resources and identify key research thrusts for 2009. Thru the Congressional Commission on Science & Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), Philippines will hold an international conference to consolidate research agenda and ideas.

COMSTE, jointly chaired by Angara and Cavite Representative Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya - is expected to introduce more legislation that will make the Philippines more globally competitive, particularly in Science and Technology.

"We intend to fuel the creativity of our local scientists and stimulate a synergy of ideas, forge connections between scientists in the Philippines and the international scientific community; and eventually propel the country as a respectable source of S&T innovations, much like Taiwan and Korea have done," said Angara.

Moreover, given the political landscape from now until the May 2010 elections it is the best time to drum up awareness and significant concern and prioritization of presidential and other electoral candidates on the need to have a comprehensive and coherent national S&T strategy.

"S&T and R&D have long been in the background of other issues surrounding the country like poverty, overpopulation, the dismal economy, etc., it is but timely to raise the awareness those governing and those of being governed. It is only thru pro-active partnership that we can succeed" ended Angara.