Just after the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Science and Technology Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. has vowed for a more responsive and reliable department, under the current administration.

“Sa Bagong Pilipinas, ang agham ay ramdam. ‘Yan po ang ating pangako. Paano po natin gagawin ito? Si siyensya, teknolohiya at inobasyon, mga negosyo niyo ay tiyak kikita. Meron po tayong Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program [and] STARTUP fund. We have a program Propel to help investors and technologies to create enterprises and to create new jobs. Sa industriya, aarangkada. Ang kalusugan ay sisigla. Ang pagsasaka ay sasagana. Sa mga kabataan, may scholarship po tayo sa science, technology engineering and mathematics. Ang bukas niyo ay may pagasa. Kaya pangako po natin sa kasalukuyang administrasyon, ang agham ay ramdam,” Solidum said in 2025 post-SONA discussions on Environmental Protection and Disaster Risk Reduction on July 29.

In his SONA on July 28, 2025, President Marcos mentioned the various scientific initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), particularly in disaster preparedness.

“Ginagamit na natin ngayon ang mga makabagong teknolohiya lalo na sa maaga at mabisang prediksyon. Mga Doppler radar, broadband seismic stations, landslide sensors systems ng PAGASA at PHIVOLCS, sa iba’t-ibang lugar sa bansa. Sa epektibong pag saklolo, nakakatulong ang mga mobile command and control vehicle ng DOST, na ipinamahagi natin sa labing-isang LGUs sa buong bansa,” Marcos said in his speech.

Aside from these technologies mentioned by President Marcos, Solidum vowed to continue modernizing the services of the DOST-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology by deploying additional 175 seismic stations. Currently, there are 125 deployed in various parts of the country.

He also added that the Institute eyes at least 400 tsunami warning stations in the country to further strengthen tsunami preparedness.

Since Solidum served as the secretary of DOST in 2022, the agency has anchored its projects and programs on the four pillars, namely promoting human-wellbeing, fostering wealth creation, reinforcing wealth protection and institutionalizing sustainability, which is also aligned with the United Nation’s sustainable development goal.

Acknowledging the importance of protecting the wealth of Filipino people, DOST has come up with programs to safeguard lives, property, and economic assets against harm brought about by disasters, health risks, and environmental threats under the wealth protection pillar.

This pillar strengthens disaster resilience. Tools like GeoRiskPH, the seismic and hazard information platform, and events like Handa Pilipinas DRRM Exposition, equip communities to prepare for the risks brought about by natural hazards and human-induced disasters.

Just recently, the country, particularly Metro Manila and other provinces in Region I and II experienced severe flooding caused by typhoon Emong and continuous downpours.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito ‘Jonvic’ Remulla, who is also among the panelists of the post-SONA discussions, admitted that Metro Manila has no cohesive plan to dispose of solid waste.

“Dahil inefficient ang planning natin in the last 30 years sa solid waste management, ang mga local government units ngayon nahihirapan sa collection system,” Remulla said.

The problem of proper waste disposal has been a long-standing issue in the country, affecting flood control efforts in vulnerable communities.

In response to this dilemma, the DOST, in partnership with the City Government of Cauayan, and Isabela State University, launched the establishment of Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) in Cauayan City in 2024.

Several technologies were developed and deployed in the communities, including strategies and mechanisms to increase public awareness and the capability of LGUs to implement solutions such as the “waste analysis and characterization study (WACS)” and the establishment of Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs).

“Pagdating ng klima at ng baha ang problema natin ay basura. Kaya kami ay mayroong science, technology and innovation for circular economy framework. Para ‘yong mga plastic, mga agricultural waste ay hindi itapon, kundi ma-convert natin sa mga bagay na pagkakakitaan. Kaya sana po, i-convert natin po yung mindset natin at ugaliing sa pagtatapon ng basura, ipunin po natin dahil pwedeng pagkakitaan siya using science, technology and innovation,”Solidum said.

Moreover, the Metals Industry Research and Development Center of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-MIRDC), in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau's National Capital Region Office, developed a Floating Solid Waste Collector System—an equipment designed to extract floating debris from waterways.

Another problem faced by most of the Filipinos is the lack of access to safe and potable water, especially in far flung areas. According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary, Raphael Lotilla, there are around 40 million Filipinos who do not have access to safe and secure water resources.

However, DOST, through the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program, is also working on water desalination projects, particularly in geographically isolated areas or island communities facing water scarcity.

According to Solidum, there are 20 more or less, water desalination plants installed in communities with water scarcity issues across the country.

“Kami sa Department of Science and Technology, at buong scientific community ay naniniwala na ang Pilipinas sa ngayon ay ang tingin sa atin ay bikitima parati ng mga kalamidad, climate change, lindol, at pagsabog ng bulkan. Pero sa siyensya, teknolohiya at inobasyon, at maigting na pagtutulungan at disiplina, ang mga Pilipino ay pwedeng manalo sa mga puwedeng trahedya. We can become victors and not victims of disasters,”Solidum said.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aims at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions, Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph. (By Claire Bernadette A. Mondares, DOST-STII)

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr., speaks at 2025 post-SONA discussions on Environmental Protection and Disaster Risk Reduction on July 29, 2025 held at San Juan National Government Center, San Juan City. (Photo from PCOO)