DOST transfer to Clark
CLARK FREEPORT ZONE – “The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will definitely move here in the Clark Freeport Zone soon.” said Dr. Julius Caesar V. Sicat, director of the DOST Region 3, “In fact, I have already received orders to scout a place in Clark for the DOST.”
Dr. Sicat announced this during an interview at the Quest Hotel in Clark. He was the guest speaker at the Training Workshop and Writing Proposal seminar of the DOST Region 3.
“Also will be included is the new headquarters of the Philippine Space Agency. We have made initial negotiations last year with the Clark Development Corporation requesting an area for the DOST. Submitted with the proposal is a request for 500 million pesos to be included in the 2019 budget of the department so we can proceed construction of the facilities.”
Part of the President’s plans
The transfer of the DOST is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s plans to decongest Metro Manila by transferring all government offices to Clark. The Department of Transportation has already transferred here in July 2017.
Improving scientific research and papers
Several representatives from state and private universities in Central Luzon attended the seminar to improve their capability building activities that will allow them to conduct research projects and scientific papers that can be published in international science journals. Director Sicat challenged the attendees to write scientific proposals and research that are world-class, relevant, and most importantly, regional in origin.
Local researchers and scientists gather for a group picture with Region 3 DOST director Dr. Julius Caesar V. Sicat during the seminar held at the Quest Hotel in the Clark Freeport Zone.
The two-day seminar is also aimed to improve the productivity and gain more international recognition for the local science and technology community. Improving the writing and research proposals skills so it will be at par with their counterparts at the National Capital Region. With this mindset, the participants hope to get more funding from the DOST. The seminar will run from February 28-March 1, 2018.
Benefits to the local science community
This, in turn, will benefit the local researchers and scientists in Central Luzon. The seminar is conducted by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) in partnership with the Outstanding Young Scientist, Incorporated (OYSI) and the DOST Region 3. This is part of the NAST PHL project titled Research Upgrading and Performance Evaluation.
Topics that are covered are all parts of Writing a Scientific Paper; Priority Research and Development Agenda of Funding Agencies; Research Proposal Presentation; Developing the Methodology, Gantt chart and Budget and Rewards of Research.
More science projects being developed
The region 3 director also said an amphibious vehicle for Central Luzon is in the final stages of development by the industry research consortium which would be ready before the 2018 rainy season. This will the first prototype in Region 3.
Lastly, is a proposal of solar-powered vehicles to replace tricycles as a short distance transport. All these are developing here in Region 3.
