Senator Bam Aquino wants the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to show Filipinos how its proposed P30.87-billion budget for 2027 can make everyday life easier, including helping bring down the cost of basic goods.

During the DOST budget hearing, the senator said science and technology should not remain confined to laboratories and research centers but should translate into practical benefits for ordinary Filipinos.

“So let me begin my statement by quoting Secretary Solidum. Sabi ho niya, ‘dapat ramdam ang agham. Ang agham, dapat ramdam,’” said Aquino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology and vice chairperson of the Committee on Finance.

“I think that is the best guide for everyone in the agency and for this budget process — na lahat po ng ginagawa po natin, dapat ramdam ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.

Aquino said technology could help farmers and fishermen increase production, extend the shelf life of food and reduce wastage, while also cutting production, energy, transportation and distribution costs.

“Sa tamang paggamit ng agham at teknolohiya, marami pong magagandang bagay ang pwedeng mangyari. Pwede pong mapataas ang ani ng magsasaka’t mangingisda. Pwedeng mapahaba ang shelf life ng pagkain. Pwedeng mabawasan ang nasasayang na produkto,” he said.

The senator also pointed to the role of DOST in disaster preparedness, citing weather forecasting, hazard mapping, early warning systems, flood monitoring and climate-resilient technologies that can help communities prepare for floods, typhoons, extreme heat, earthquakes and landslides.

“Sa pamamagitan ng accurate na weather forecasting, hazard mapping, early warning systems, flood monitoring, and climate-resilient technologies, mas maagang nakapaghahanda ang mga lokal na pamahalaan at mga mamamayan,” Aquino said.

According to the senator, the goal is for the DOST budget to produce benefits that Filipinos can see in their daily lives, including more affordable goods, safer communities and stronger livelihoods.

“Dapat naramdaman din ito ng ating mga kababayan sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na buhay—sa palengke, sa paaralan, sa kanilang kung saan sila nagtatrabaho, at kung saan pa man,” Aquino said.IMT