Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla on Thursday called for stronger support for government scientists and better systems to turn research into practical and marketable solutions. He made the remarks during his visit to the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) in Los Banos, Laguna.
Lotilla highlighted the need to bridge the gap between scientific studies and real-world applications, noting that the Philippines ranks low in international research and development due in part to limited visibility of local scientific publications. He encouraged scientists to publish in internationally recognized journals and pursue the merit-based Scientific Career System (SCS), which offers career progression, incentives, and competitive salaries.
ERDB, led by director Lormelyn E. Claudio, presented its programs and recent accomplishments, including the PhilFlux Project, the first in the country to measure mangrove carbon fluxes using the Eddy Covariance Approach, and the development of a low-cost hydroseeding-hydrogel technology for mined-out areas.
Secretary Lotilla also supported expanding plantilla positions for technical experts across 14 fields, including forestry, agriculture, biology, engineering, and environmental science, to strengthen ERDB’s research and development capacity.
The DENR delegation from CALABARZON shared examples of how ERDB research has benefited national, regional, and community projects. The visit was attended by senior DENR officials, including undersecretary Juan Miguel T. Cuna and Forest Management Bureau assistant irdector Ray Thomas Kabigting.
