BAGUIO CITY – The seven science and technology ambassador recipients from the Cordillera unanimously assured officials of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) led by Secretary Mario Montejo that they will continue to work harder in spousing the implementation of science and technology innovations that would empower people to embrace the production of quality products and the improvement of their services.
Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan, who was cited for authoring the law that established the Cordillera campus of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) in the Cordillera, said that he did not expect that what he thought was a part of his ordinary course of work in crafting laws when he was a lawmaker would translate to such a coveted award, citing that he is the one who believes in the great value of education in charting one’s destiny, thus, the importance of the PSHS-CAR campus.
Bauko Mayor Abraham B. Akilit, who was conferred the same award for his key contributions in the implementation of 14 community-based science and technology projects in his municipality and the realization of the ceramic filter project by donating his 2,154 property for the structure, pointed out providing support to science and technology projects is part of the government’s interventions to plant the seeds for the benefit of the future generations, thus, the award would be shared with the other municipal officials because of their unity in working out the approval of the required counterpart of the municipality for the acquisition of noble projects beneficial in increasing economic activities in the different barangays of their place.
For his part, Rizal, Kalinga Marcelo dela Cruz, Jr., who was also cited for his support to the implementation of science and technology projects in the city, said being conferred the same award would be a motivation for local officials to continue extending their utmost support to the realization of science and technology projects, saying that he would share the award with the people and officialdom of his town.
Benguet State University (BSU) president Dr. Ben Ladilad, who was cited as one of the region’s science and technology ambassadors, asserted that he will continue to enhance and work out the implementation of science and technology researches by the State-run higher education institution in order to effectively and efficiently contribute in the upliftment of innovations for the improvement of their products and services of micro, small and medium enterprises among others.
University of the Philippines College Baguio (UPCB) Chancellor Dr. Raymundo Robillos, one of the region’s science and technology ambassadors, shared the award with the officials of the Cordillera Region Health and Research Development Consortium (CRHDC) and he is optimistic that after the successful conduct of their initial researches, there will be a significant increase in the availment of their services for future researches in health among others.
Engr. Daniel Peckley, Jr., A DOST Balik Scientist and a native of the Cordillera, cited the award conferred to them would serve as an inspiration for him to continue working out appropriate disaster risk reduction and mitigation to spare vulnerable communities from the serious negative effects of natural and man-made calamities.
For her part, Helen R. Tibaldo, regional director of the Cordillera office of the Philippine Agency (PIA-CAR), cited the engagement of the local medial in science and technology advocacy would contribute in empowering people to embrace innovations in their way of life.
By Dexter A. See