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BICUTAN, TAGUIG CITY - The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) will convene the 46th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) on 10-11 July 2024, with the theme "Beyond Farm Productivity: Transforming the Philippine food system to address equity, consumer health, and environmental issues" at The Manila Hotel and via Zoom and Facebook Live.
 
The Annual Scientific Meeting is an annual activity of the Academy that serves as the leading forum for presenting scientific and policy research. Policy recommendations on appropriate interventions will be submitted to the Philippine government and the private sector for their consideration and appropriate action. This year’s ASM is hosted by the Agricultural Sciences Division (ASD), chaired by Academician Eufemio T. Rasco Jr.
 
The two-day event will include plenary sessions on topics involving input production, primary production, postharvest handling and transport, food processing, marketing, and food services, consumption, and waste management, as well as scientific posters, exhibits, and the awarding ceremony for the 2024 NAST Awardees.
 
Before the conduct of the 46th ASM, Regional Scientific Meetings (RSMs) in Luzon (Tuguegarao), Visayas (Cebu), and Mindanao (Cagayan de Oro) were conducted in partnership with the DOST Regional Offices.
 
The theme encapsulates the collective pursuit of sustainable agricultural food systems, diving deep into the interconnected domains of agriculture, health systems, and the environment. Building on the success of the previous scientific meetings, the discussion will revolve around great scientific innovations to transcend conventional food systems to a more holistic approach exploring out-of-the-box solutions along with modern technology and appropriate policies paving the way for an equitable, sustainable food future. The event will offer actionable insights into the many disruptions that have slowed the rate by which agriculture acts as the engine for economic development in the Philippines.
 
Due to the limited onsite participation, the general public can still join the conference virtually via the NAST PHL Facebook page and via Zoom. (https://www.facebook.com/nastphl)
 
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 an 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.

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TAGUIG CITY – The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) Agricultural Sciences Division recently released its position on the recent decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) which effectively put yet another moratorium on the use of Bt Talong and Golden Rice.

As of 30 April 2024, 5 National Scientists, 42 Academicians, and 3 Corresponding Members from various NAST PHL divisions signed and effectively strengthened the said position.

“NAST reiterates its support for the use of modern biotechnology in plant breeding and expresses its concern that the court decision unnecessarily delays its overdue innovations.” NAST PHL Agricultural Sciences Division said in its position.

“We are finally concerned that the continuing delay in the use of Bt Talong and Golden Rice is causing more harm than good. As we try to placate the minority which is ideologically against these modern technologies, who will be satisfied only if these technologies are kept away permanently from farmers and consumers, millions die and more suffer from the harmful effects of technologies they seek to replace.”, it added

NAST PHL has six divisions: Agricultural Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering Sciences and Technology, Health Sciences, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences, composed of National Scientists, Academicians, and Corresponding members, the top scientists in the country. An attached agency of DOST, it is the government's highest advisory and recognition body in Science and Technology.

The NAST-ASD Position on the moratorium on products of modern plant breeding can be accessed at https://nast.dost.gov.ph/index.php/publications?id=763. (Angelito Navarro/NAST PHL)

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SDG Strategic Linkage for Sustainable Cities and Communities in the Philippine Context
Segundo E. Romero1, Lourdes J. Cruz2, 3, Rhodora V. Azanza2, 3 and Roberto F. Rañola, Jr.4,5
 

Future Earth Philippines (FEP) was established in 2017 as a collective effort by a group of scientists and individuals from the business sector and civil society. Their initiative was driven by concerns over the urgent ecological issues confronting the nation. Since the early 1960s, the Philippines has been experiencing an ecological deficit marked by a steady decrease in biocapacity and an alarming increase in ecological footprint.

FEP is currently advancing an initiative that is focused on promoting sustainability, resilience, and inclusive development. It is aligning itself with the global Future Earth network to further its goals and objectives in these areas. Starting in 2018, FEP has organized workshops with the goal of convening diverse stakeholders including the government, the academe, NGOs, communities, and private enterprises to facilitate collaboration, communication, and collective action towards addressing pressing ecological challenges and promoting sustainability in the Philippines. The workshops are designed to cultivate an appreciation of the interrelation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to formulate projects that are transdisciplinary and inclusive. Initially, multiple thematic clusters were formed to delineate the boundaries of their specific focal topics and challenges, as well as to identify the relevant Sustainable Development Goals.