‘Research, development assistance fund’ mulled

NAGA CITY --- The Sangguniang Panlungsod here is mulling over the establishment of a fund which shall allow the city government to extend support to students who are involved in research and development.

The plan was outlined in the proposed ordinance prepared by City Councilor Joselito S.A. del Rosario who said that the establishment of a research and development fund would encourage and strengthen more partnerships between government and educational institutions.

“The ordinance, once approved, will help boost the linkages of the two sectors in the generation of technologies needed to accelerate knowledge-based economy aside from empowering the academe, specifically the students and their schools and other research enthusiasts who need to realize their academic pursuits,” del Rosario said.

In a privilege speech last week, the city councilor underscored the need for an ordinance that will allow the city to benefit from the gains that research and development may bring.

“In fact, numerous government agencies like the Department of Science and Technology, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and other private entities are offering grants-in-aid and funding support to research and development which contribute much in harnessing the country’s scientific and technological capabilities that led to spur and attain sustainable economic growth and development,” he said.

Del Rosario expressed elation over the feat achieved by 3 students of Camarines Sur National High School by winning in an international competition held in the United States. The three were internationally recognized by naming 3 minor planets in their honor, such as these planets will be named as Eugene Rivera, Joscel Kent Manzanero and Keith Russel Cadores, respectively.

“Those three student-scientists from CSNHS, as I remember, once asked for our assistance to help fund their research. To be frank, some of us were hesitant to help because we did not know whether their research will be worth our support,” Del Rosario said.

He said that the passing and approval of the proposed measure would provide the city government with the necessary guidelines that will systematically and carefully allow the LGU to grant support to researchers. In the proposed ordinance’s general criteria the following may avail of the research assistance fund:

1. A Naga City resident, especially a member of the youth sector, who is involved in or undertaking research.

2. A non-resident of Naga but whose research will make an impact on the city’s quality of life.

3. Public or private schools.

4. Private groups involve in the practice of research, whose output will help in the decision-making process of either the executive and legislative branches of the city government.