Robin: DOST holds key to unlocking PH’s natural resources
A SOLON on Monday stressed that a “science-based” approach could be the “key” to unlocking new technologies in using the country’s natural resources for energy including nuclear energy.
Senator Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla further said that science can address the problem of high costs of power as well as its potential shortage.
The senator added that the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) holds the key to discovering and harnessing our natural resources so the Philippines can solve its debt and energy problems.
“Just think about it – oil, gas, gold, copper, nickel, bromate all these minerals are found here. The information that all our metallic mineral reserves amounting to $1.4 trillion means a lot,” Padilla stressed.
Also, Padilla lamented that despite having rich natural resources the Philippines will still have to borrow some P2.207 trillion next year.
Padilla said the country is counting on the DOST to contribute to solving these problems by finding ways to harness the country’s natural resources for the benefit of all Filipinos.
Similarly, he said a science-based method of locally processing minerals might mean big revenues, in turn helping address the country’s debt woes.
“Kaya kami nakikiusap at ako kumakatok sa pintuan ng DOST, dahil nasa inyo ang pag-asa, kung magkakaroon talaga tayo ng pagsasaliksik sa agham at talagang gagamitin natin lahat ng resources ng bansa,” Padilla said.
During the hearing, Enrico Paringit, executive director of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), noted there are projects to find ways to locally process copper and nickel in the Philippines a potential major source of income.
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) Director Carlo Arcilla added they continue to conduct research on nuclear power plants to address the problem of energy.
Arcilla added they can run the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) safely, although the political decision on whether to allow the BNPP to run lies with the Department of Energy (DOE).
“Gusto ko malaman n’yo na napakalaki ng responsibilidad ninyo (I want you to know that you have a big responsibility),” Padilla told the DOST.
