January 4th, 2022
House Ways and Means Chair Joey Sarte Salceda (Albay, 2nd district), principal author of key measures promoted by the science community, has been awarded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) with the DOST – HOR Exponents of Responsive and Outstanding Engagement in Science (DOST-HEROES) Award. Salceda thanks the Sec dela Pena, DOST and the science community for recognising his efforts so other Congressmen will provide legislative support to S/T, R/D and innovation.
The DOST cited Salceda’s “invaluable and untiring effort” in promoting science and technology programs and projects.
Salceda is also the principal author of Republic Act No. 11363, or the Philippine Space Agency Act, as well as other measures pending in the Congress such as the Charter of the Virology Institute of the Philippines, the creation of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Science for Change Program, the National Policy on Access to Philippine Genetic Resources, the Philippine Nuclear Regulation Commission Charter, the Charter of the Atomic Regulatory Commission, and the establishment of the Philippine Science High School branch in Daraga, Albay.
Salceda also pushed for research and development and higher-technology incentives under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises or CREATE Act.
As Governor of Albay, Salceda also helped mainstream the climate sciences as a prominent part of policymaking and governance, in his role in the Albay and Manila Declarations on Climate Change. His pioneering work in disaster risk reduction has also brought to the fore the efforts of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to improve disaster communications and prevention.
Upon receipt of the letter notifying him of the award, Salceda said that he was “elated and honored by the surprise recognition,” which the House tax panel chair said “is a testament to the legislative work that we diligently undertake.”
“Science legislation demands abundant study. I work very hard to make sure colleagues and the public understand the importance of science-related policies and programs. I am honored by this award, because it recognizes the amount of work that we do to promote science-based, data-driven policymaking.”
Representative Salceda’s efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2nd district of Albay, and to assist the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases with science-based strategies and proposals were also cited by the Department of Health.
Salceda also called on Congress to pass DOST-promoted measures such as the Science for Change Program and the charter of the Virology Institute of the Philippines.
“It’s a shame that we were unable to provide a budget for the Virology Institute in the 2022 budget because the Senate was unable to approve the VIP’s charter. The S4CP was also approved in the Economic Development Cluster of the Cabinet. I am still optimistic that we can approve these measures before Congress adjourns in June,” Salceda said.
“The VIP will help us fight future pandemics, and the S4CP is crucial to rapid and sustained economic growth.”
“Science is always the future. All of our national ambitions depend on science-based governance,” Salceda added. (end)
