Senator-elect Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday said he would like to start an official working group for local executives in the city of Taguig and officials at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) that could facilitate partnerships in science, technology, and innovation.
“Sana po magbuo na tayo ng grupo officially between Taguig and DOST, pero ayoko ng simple lang, gusto ko ASTIG – Always Science Technology and Innovation Group,” Cayetano said.
He said the proposed working group can benefit other local governments in the country by helping them work closely with the DOST on initiatives in science and technology in their respective areas.
He made the remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Taguig Science Terminal and Exhibit Center, a joint project of the local government of Taguig, the DOST, and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The project will involve the construction of a multi-story public transport terminal building with office space for the DOST and a science exhibit center on the upper floors.
It will be built within the DOST’s land in Bicutan, Taguig.
Cayetano said the project came about because of the shared vision of the local government of Taguig and the DOST, whose main offices are located in the city. “Hindi lang po tayo gumagawa ng project, hindi lang po tayo nakikiusap o pinagbibigyan ni Secretary, kundi nasa vision natin ito,” he said.
DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña agreed with Senator-elect Cayetano about the need for partnerships between local governments and national agencies, saying both camps have shared objectives. “Maganda kung merong mga programa na yung plano ng LGU at yung plano ng national agency ay magkakaroon ng something in common, and ang ultimate objective naman natin ay ang makapagsilbi sa tao,” Dela Peña said.
Incoming Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, meanwhile, said she would push to make the final structure of the terminal and science exhibit center more environment-friendly, suggesting the addition of rain catchment facilities and solar panels to ensure the building’s sustainability.
“Ako po ay nangangarap na ang proyekto na ito ay magiging simbolo at magiging modelo hindi lang pagdating sa function kundi sa pagtulong sa ating kalikasan,” she said.
