Science chief presents DOST’s initiatives to UNIDO Country Representative in Phl

Karen Lou S. Mabagos, ITCU-DOST

DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña discusses possible collaborations with UNIDO.

Bicutan, Taguig City – Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) met with Teddy G. Monroy, the Country Representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in the Philippines last 08 November 2021.

Secretary de la Peña was joined by DOST Assistant Secretary Leah J. Buendia and Dr. Annabelle V. Briones, Director of the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI). The science chief presented the DOST’s accomplishments and initiatives that included the Department’s Science for Change Program, technology breakthroughs and local innovations, the establishment of state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories, human resources development programs, lobbying of S&T legislations, and scientific responses and research studies on COVID-19.

The Secretary also discussed how the DOST has been empowering the communities using S&T through its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP); the Community Empowerment Through Science and Technology (CEST); and Innovation, Science and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-Based Development (iSTART) Program.

Monroy, the UNIDO Country Representative, affirmed that with the milestones achieved by the DOST, there are several areas that the DOST and UNIDO can explore for possible joint projects and activities. Secretary de la Peña and Monroy discussed the big possibility that the DOST and UNIDO can work together in various areas that include the following: (i) research and development for MSMEs; (ii) science, technology, and innovation for the Halal industry; (iii) waste-to-energy innovations; and (iv) technopreneurship initiatives with local government units (LGUs).