With the theme “PAGTANAW 2050: Agham Tungo sa Mabuting Kinabukasan (FORESIGHT 2050: Science for a Sustainable Future)”, the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) emphasized the importance of promoting awareness on futures thinking with particular focus on a sustainable blue and circular economy during its 44th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) held last 13-14 July 2022 in a hybrid mode at The Manila Hotel and live via Zoom and Facebook.

PAGTANAW 2050 is the first inter- and trans-disciplinary Philippine foresight plan that anticipates science, technology, and innovation (STI) that will influence the development of the country in the next 30 years.

One of the highlights of the 44th ASM was the presentation of resolutions to Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan, NEDA secretary and NAST academician; Dr. Renato U. Solidum, DOST Officer-in-Charge and Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services; and Mr. Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua III, chairman of the Science and Information Technology Committee of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCI).

The 44th ASM recommendations include: increasing investments and funding for PAGTANAW 2050, institutionalizing foresight at all levels of government and regions in the country, expanding the STI workforce through recruitment and retention, and encouraging Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to develop programs on maritime and oceanographic studies.

44th ASM Program

The first day of the 44th ASM featured a keynote talk followed by four plenary talks. The keynote talk was delivered by Dr. John L. Anderson, president of the US National Academy of Engineering, who talked on “Engineering for Inevitable Surprises: A Systems Perspective”. This was followed by four plenary talks. Dr. Joy Jacqueline Pereira delivered a talk on “Key Findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: An Imperative for Advancing Scientific Leadership.” Dr. Pereira is a research fellow at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and vice chair of Working Group II on Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The second plenary talk was delivered by Dr. Reniel B. Cabral who talked about: “Can we have our fish and eat them too? Securing food and livelihood security in the Philippines”. Dr. Cabral is a senior lecturer at the Marine Biology and Aquaculture, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University.

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Dr. John L. Anderson, president of the US NAE, during his keynote address at the 44th Annual Scientific Meeting

The third plenary talk was given by Prof. Shermon Cruz, Chief Futurist and Executive Director of the Center for Engaged Foresight. Prof. Cruz talked on “The Flavor and Landscape of Futures and Foresight Networks in the Asia Pacific and the World.” The fourth plenary talk was given by Dr. Emma E. Porio, Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Ateneo De Manila University. Dr. Porio sought to link the sciences with the community in her talk entitled: “Transdisciplinary Research: Actionable Science for Climate and Disaster Resilience.”

The Day 1 program was capped by the presentation of the Outputs of the Regional Scientific Meetings and other PAGTANAW 2050 discussions by Acd. Rhodora V. Azanza and Acd. William G. Padolina.

The Day 2 morning program featured six research presentations from selected NAST projects by each of the six divisions of NAST.

Awarding Ceremonies

The Day 2 afternoon program featured the awarding ceremonies in recognition of the outstanding contributions by Filipinos in science and technology in the Philippines.

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The 2022 Outstanding Young Scientist awardees with the NAST members (from left): Acd. Edward H.M. Wang, Director Luningning E. Samarita-Domingo, Dr. Arnel B. Beltran, Dr. Nikki Heherson A. Dagamac, John Frederick D. Tapia, Dr. Ronnie E. Baticulon, Dr. Paul Gideon D. Lasco, Acd. Fabian M. Dayrit, Acd. Rhodora V. Azanza, Acd. Jaime C. Montoya, Dr. Michael Ralph M. Abrigo, Dr. Maria Ruth Pineda-Cortel, Dr. Rich Milton R. Dulay, Dr. Roscinto Ian C. Lumbres, Dr. Allan Christopher C. Yago, and Mr. Darlon V. Lantican

This year, there were eleven Outstanding Young Scientist Awardees, namely Darlon V. Lantican, MS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Roscinto Ian C. Lumbres, Ph.D. Forest Resources, Benguet State University, Nikki Heherson A. Dagamac, Dr. rer. nat. University of Santo Tomas, Rich Milton R. Dulay. Ph.D. Biology, Central Luzon State University, Arnel B. Beltran, Ph.D. Environmental Engineering, De La Salle University, John Frederick D. Tapia, Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, De La Salle University, Ronnie E. Baticulon, MD Pediatric Neurosurgery, University of the Philippines Manila, Maria Ruth Pineda-Cortel, Ph.D. Biological Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Allan Christopher C. Yago, Ph.D. Chemistry, University of the Philippines Diliman, Michael Ralph M. Abrigo, Ph.D. Economics, Philippine Institute of Development Studies, Paul Gideon D. Lasco, Ph.D. Anthropology, Ateneo de Manila University.

Also presented during the awarding ceremonies are the Best Scientific Poster, Outstanding Scientific Paper, Outstanding Book/Monograph Award, NAST Talent Search for Young Scientists, and NAST Environmental Science Award. (Larrisse O. Lipit/NAST PHL)

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The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) is an attached agency to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) mandated by law to recognize outstanding achievements in scientific research and development and to serve as adviser to the President of the Republic of the Philippines and the cabinet on policies concerning science and technology in the country. For more updates, follow NAST Philippines’ (@nastphl) social media accounts.