Hon. Jeyzel Victoria C. Yu, Zamboanga del Sur 2nd district representative, delivers her message during the visit. (Image credit: ACD, DOST-PCAARRD)
"We need to strengthen the cooperation of the DOST family and the members of the House of Representatives (HOR) by providing opportunities like this to converge our efforts so that we may be able to solve the present problems," said Zamboanga del Sur 2nd district Representative Jeyzel Victoria C. Yu during a scientific ocular visit at the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
The visit aimed to introduce and showcase the programs and initiatives of DOST-PCAARRD, DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), and DOST CALABARZON to partners from the HOR.
"This is an opportunity for us to present to you our initiatives and to thank you for the efforts that you have exerted to help us in promoting Science and Technology (S&T) in the country through the legislative process," said DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora during his welcome message.
Representative Yu also stated in her message that S&T plays a vital role in the country's food security.
"We in congress have the power to support the DOST. Through efficient collaboration between us legislators, the scientific community, academe, and private sector, we can achieve the goal of accelerating economic development," she added. Moreover, she emphasized that it is their desire for the collaboration to propel the country to the league of advanced nations.
Held on February 22, 2024 at the DOST-PCAARRD Innovation and Technology Center (DPITC), the activity was also attended by DOST Undersecretary for Special Concerns Teodoro Gatchalian, DOST-CALABARZON Director Emelita P. Bagsit; DOST-FPRDI Officer-in-Charge Rico J. Cabangon; as well as chiefs-of-staff and selected committees on agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources of the HOR.
Offices and facilities of DOST-FPRDI, DOST-CALABARZON and the PCAARRD-funded projects of the Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC) and the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños were also visited during the activity