With food prices on the rise and reports of smuggling and shortages of various crops in different areas of the country, Dr. Leslie Michelle Dalmacho, president of the Department of Science and Technology-National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP), shared some initiatives of the science department to ensure food and nutrition security for every Filipino.
In a broadcast statement, Dr. Dalmacho explained that, for the food and nutrition security program, researchers from the DOST-NRCP are further exploring the country’s biodiversity to improve crops through the latest technology and enhance the farm-to-market process for our crops.
“We (DOST-NRCP) have a project on human security, which is particularly relevant now, as human security encompasses not just defense but also taking care of our health and the environment. The recent pandemic highlights the importance of human security,” Dr. Dalmacho explained.
She also added that part of the DOST-NRCP’s initiatives involves the examining of the environment and ensuring water is clean and suitable for drinking.
The DOST-NRCP is also concentrating on issue-based, issue-oriented basic research, covering water, food and nutrition, health, and energy. Dr. Dalmacho shared insights into how they explore these areas.
“We explore these areas through solicited research from our members, who number over 6,000 from all over the Philippines. We solicit research on water security, food security, and other studies so that we can gather evidence for policies that LGUs, different government sectors, or the private sector may adopt,” said Dr. Dalmacho.
Pushing for the National Integrated Basic Research Agenda (NIBRA)
Dr. Dalmacho provided an in-depth explanation of the National Integrated Basic Research Agenda (NIBRA), focusing on the country’s basic research direction from 2023 to 2028.
“At DOST-NRCP, we conduct policy research to address problems related to public welfare. These policy research projects fall under two categories: demand-driven research, where issues are identified by lawmakers from the lower house or the Senate, and council-directed research projects, where issues are identified by the governing board of the DOST-NRCP,” said Dr. Dalmacho.
She shared some policies crafted by the council, such as the project Danum on watersheds. This project involved foundational research, integrating descriptive phases and analytical models essential for designing water management strategies. A memorandum of agreement was established with the Baguio City Local Government Unit to adopt and integrate the study’s findings into practical applications.
Dr. Dalmacho mentioned that under NIBRA, the DOST-NRCP aims to develop other policies, particularly focusing on caring for the environment and biodiversity in the country. Another project involves assessing flora and fauna in Del Carmen in Siargao
Island, contributing to the nomination of Del Carmen as a Ramsar site, along with the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the Tubbataha Natural Park.
Through this NRCP project, Del Carmen Siargao became a nominee for a wetland of international importance, shining a spotlight on the area and boosting tourism.
Call for Proposals and Qualified Submissions
Dr. Dalmacho invited all NRCP members to attend and participate in the 2024 DOST Call for Conference, a four-part campaign series of the Annual Call for Conference. According to the announcement of the DOST-NRCP on their official Facebook page, the North Luzon leg was held in Baguio City on 11 January 2024, followed by the Mindanao leg in Cagayan de Oro City on 18 January 2024, the Visayas leg in Cebu City on 08 February 08 2024, and the South and National Capital Region leg in Metro Manila on 15 February 2024.
