The Advocates of Science and Technology for the People, who go by the acronym AGHAM, issued the statement after President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. called himself a “frustrated scientist” during a recent convention for the Balik Scientist Program, which aims to encourage expatriate Filipino STEM professionals to return to the Philippines to help with “scientific, agro-industrial, and economic development.
“This is critical as climate change is one of the important things that need to be addressed using science-based action,” AGHAM said. AGHAM said the budgetary allocation for research and development does not meet the recommended UNESCO threshold of 1% of gross domestic product. Under the proposed 2023 national budget, the Department of Science and Technology will receive P24.06 billion, slightly lower than its current budget of P24.27 billion.