Press Release
December 29, 2010

COMSTE PRESENTS NATIONAL PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR 2011

The Congressional Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering (COMSTE) identified the national priority projects of the commission for 2011.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara, Chair of COMSTE, enumerated the flagship projects, which are Telehealth for remote areas and Digital Medical Records, Remote-Sensing for Agriculture, Electronic Vehicles and Green Transport and Disaster Science, Biotechnology for Health and food security, and Renewable Energy Systems.

Angara said that, "the Philippines was one of a handful of countries that kept relatively strong economic growth throughout the global recession. But as the world's fastest growing economies have shown, it is not merely enough to stay afloat. It is more pressing now than ever to ensure that the country has the capability to create knowledge and harness innovation."

"Our country cannot hope to catch up with our highly competitive neighbors and galloping population unless we leapfrog development through science and technology," said Angara.

COMSTE Executive Director Dr. Gregory L. Tangonan also presented the re-organization of the Commission, which would into 2 major panels. These panels will be on composed of experts who (1) understand and can articulate the economic significance and impact of S&T on the country and its development, and (2) can identify the best technologies from around the world that the country needs to acquire.

The reorganization of the panels is aimed at improving the country's global competitiveness in S&T by applying world class collaboration between the government, academe and industry to address the nation's critical needs.

Solar Power

The first solar testing facility of the Philippines opened recently at the First Philippine Industrial Park in Tanauan, Batangas and is a product of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between COMSTE and First Philec Solar Corporation.

Angara lauded the opening of the testing facility as significant proof that government and industry collaboration works, and that continued PPP's can spur the growth of innovation especially in the fields of S&T.

The testing facility has 180 KW on-grid capacity, and is capable of testing photovoltaic (PV) modules for efficiency and resilience in field conditions, as opposed to being tested in laboratories in controlled environments.

COMSTE has been planning projects to enhance the use of solar power in the country in line with the move towards developing renewable energy systems in the country. Through the new solar testing facility, local and foreign solar manufacturers can test panels for optimal output in tropical conditions.

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