MANILA, Philippines?A lawmaker Tuesday chided Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo for not asking for more money for his department, as the increase it got for 2011 was still inadequate.
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said he was expecting Montejo to get the lawmakers all riled up over the budget allotted to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
DOST officials appeared before the House appropriations committee Tuesday to defend the agency?s P6.096 billion budget for 2011 and to share their plans and projects.
After the presentations, Rodriguez said under the Constitution?s declaration of policies, science and technology take primacy after education. Another provision states that science and technology are essential to national development, he added.
He also said the DOST budget increase for 2011 was smaller than that of other agencies, such as the Department of National Defense, which was battling some 4,000 insurgents.
?President Arroyo gave them an 80-percent increase in 2007... [but] for 2011, they were given only a 14-percent increase. I was expecting [Montejo] to get us so angry,? Rodriguez said.
In 2010, the DOST budget was P5.327 billion.
Rodriguez said DOST officials ?should not be satisfied with only 14 percent. Are you now mad??
Bohol Rep. Erico Aumentado agreed with Rodriguez that the DOST should be given a bigger budget.
The DOST coordinates all scientific and technological activities in the country, and oversees the administration of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Also Tuesday, Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla asked officials whether the sacking of weather bureau chief Prisco Nilo was the solution to PAGASA?s problems.
Padilla said that if the problem did not lie with the agency?s people, then replacing Nilo might not be the solution to PAGASA?s woes.
?It seems that replacing [Nilo] is not the solution because even if you replace him a thousand times, if you are not able to address the basic concerns, it will not matter,? he said.
