By CRIS DIAZ
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: A lawmaker from Cagayan de Oro is pushing a P 2 billion budget increase for the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to allow the department to pursue its various programs in the region in particular and the country in general.
Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the 2nd District of Cagayan de Oro, expressed dismay over the P 20 billion slashed of the proposed 2023 budget for the DOST.
During the committee deliberation on the proposed budget for DOST, Rodriguez cited the urgency of funds for “programs that support the MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) and the R&D (research and development) in the country.
Rodriguez said that the amount slashed are “funds badly needed for programs that support the MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) and R&D (research and development) in the country.”
Rodriguez also urged DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. to submit to the committee a list of priority funds that need to be restored, including additional fundings for the regional offices amounting to P1-2illion
He also asked Solidum not to reduce by P 54.6 million the budget for the 2023 Local Grants-in-Aid (LGIA) of Region 10.
The LGIA is earmarked for projects under the Community Empowerment Through Science and Technology (CEST) to bring science, technology, and innovation closer to the people in rural areas, Rodriguez said. -0-
