and “it is a recognition of the important role of our science and technology [S&T] frontliners in the provinces,” said OIC DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. in reaction to the lapsing into law of the proposed Provincial Science and Technology Office Act.Republic Act 11914, or the PSTO Act, was among some legislative measures that lapsed into law recently after they were not acted upon either by former President Duterte or by President Marcos Jr.
Solidum told the BusinessMirror in an SMS interview that the DOST family “is very happy” with the development. He added that the law “is a recognition of the important role that our [S&T] frontliners, those assigned in the provinces, in assessing the needs and opportunities for science, technology and innovation [STI] to be a catalyst for countryside development.”Former DOST secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña announced the development on his Facebook page on August 2.
He also congratulated the team of the DOST-Department of Legislative Liaison Office , led by Director Lita S. Suerte-Felipe, “for shepherding the passage of this bill.” Meanwhile, DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho A. Mabborang, who is in charge of administering the PSTCs, now the PSTOs, said the the new law “will greatly boost the morale” of the provincial S&T directors “who I call the S&T Champions on the ground.”