Government should focus more on science

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/lifestyle/2016/10/08/national-scientist-government-should-focus-more-science-502356
• Saturday, October 8, 2016

By Abigail Viguella

THE government should focus more on the fields of science in the country, a member of the National Academy of Science and Technology of the Philippines (NASTPHL) said.

Science and technology and the people behind it have the capability to bring more success to the Philippines and that should be the reason why policy-makers should stop ignoring the needs for facilities and funds for the sciences, said academician Jurgenne Primavera.

Primavera has made a contribution to the mangrove ecosystem preservation in different parts of the country.

Primavera was in Cagayan de Oro City, together with other national scientists and science researchers at the Northern Mindanao leg of their nationwide campaign entitled "Trailblazers in Science: Lecture Series by the National Scientists", on Thursday, October 6.

Their two-day program aimed to encourage the youth and other science researchers all over the country to pursue and contribute to science.

Teachers and students coming from universities in Northern Mindanao such as the Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), the Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST), Liceo de Cagayan University, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Capitol University, Lourdes College, Mountain View College and the regional Department of Health(DOH)-Davao attended the event.

Luningning Samarita-Domingo, NASTPHL director, said that while the number of youth who take courses related to the natural sciences is still considerably many, programs which will encourage them to finish these courses and make innovations for their country should be implemented.

She added that researchers in universities and institutions should be encouraged to further experiment in their fields.

To achieve the event's goal, national scientists were invited to give a summary of their works in order for them to inspire attending students and fellow researchers.

Angel Alcala, a national scientist for the Biological Sciences, discussed his life's work and findings in his thirty years of research in Philippine marine biology and wildlife.

National Scientist Lourdes Cruz presented her paper entitled "From Killer Snails to Drugs" and shared its contribution to the Philippine science academic scene.

"For all students and science enthusiasts out there who wants to pursue science, I would like to say that you shouldn't be afraid to dedicate yourself in this field. There is money in science but most of all, there is the opportunity to contribute to the prosperity of your country," said Alcala.