DBM Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno gave the keynote address on behalf of President Rodrigo R. Duterte during the Opening Ceremony of the DOST-organized National Science and Technology Week held on July 11, 2017 at World Trade Center, Pasay City.

In his keynote address, the Secretary commended the DOST for becoming “more outward-looking and attentive to the growing needs of its constituents and stakeholders while keeping their ears close to the ground, paying close attention to the latest trends, developments and issues that affect both the domestic front and the global community”. He extended this commendation to the country’s scientists “for having made a conscious effort to become more involved and responsive to our people’s needs”.

Secretary Diokno reiterated the government’s commitment to the Science, Technology, and Innovation sector, noting that the budget for the DOST has more than quadrupled in the last seven years – from 5 billion pesos in 2010 to 20.8 billion in 2017.The budget chief highlighted future areas of focus for the Science department, namely: assistance to micro, small, and medium enterprises, laboratory testing services for producers, builders and innovators, and the Harmonized Research and Development Agenda. He also expressed the administration’s support for a Philippine Space Technology Development Program.

After his speech, the Budget Secretary joined DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña and Dr. Fabian Dayrit of the National Academy for Science and Technology in the presentation of the following awards: Outstanding Young Scientist Award, Outstanding Research and Development Award for Basic and Applied Research, Outstanding Science Administrator Award, and Outstanding Technology Commercialization Award.

To close the Opening Ceremony, the two Secretaries led a ribbon cutting to formally open the NSTW exhibit participated in by DOST Regional Offices, Higher Education Institutions, and Private Sector Counterparts.