Campaigning for Science: What the 2022 elections mean for S&T in the Philippines
by Cathleen Bettina M. Baroy
“The next president will have to lead us as we try to return to pre-pandemic life. This transitionary period demands stringent planning and competent execution, spearheaded by leaders who understand the stakes at hand.”
In 2020, the world scrambled to save themselves from the flames of COVID-19. A year has passed, and many countries have slowly transitioned back to pre-pandemic life: reopening schools, allowing gatherings, and more. However, in late 2021, the Philippines has only now begun the process of putting out the fire, as alert levels ease and pilot face to face classes for elementary and preschool start.
At the same time, the campaign season for the 2022 elections has begun in earnest, with candidates sharing their various plans as the next potential leaders of our country. Whoever the country votes for will largely determine the course of pandemic recovery, and by extension, the development of science and technology.
Before we cast our votes, let’s take a look at the different presidential candidates’ stances and track records on different science issues, and what we can look forward to in the next administration.
Science under the Duterte administration
When Duterte stepped into the presidency, he also assumed the multiple problems the Aquino administration left behind. One of these was the Dengvaxia controversy, which has led to vaccine hesitancy and overall distrust with the government when it comes to health. Aquino has also been slammed for his handling of Yolanda, with rehabilitation processes being slow. With a fist held high, Duterte’s unconventional governance in Davao made many believe he was the change our country needed.
Duterte promised to invest in research and development as part of his economic agenda. DOST saw budget increases from 2016 to 2018. However, starting 2019 this decreased. The budget cut for 2020 meant that they were only able to fund ten percent of proposed projects.
There have also been legislative moves to promote S&T. Perhaps the most well known science-related legislation from the past 6 years is the Balik Scientist Act, meant to prevent brain drain and motivate scientists to return to the Philippines. He has also approved the use of new developed technologies, such as GeoRisk Philippines and the Situation Data Mapper.
However, the pandemic unearthed that the root issue of lack of financial support for scientists still persisted. Much like the lack of compensation for healthcare workers, researchers in UP Diliman protested about their salary delay, with some missing 17 months worth of pay. Until now, many scientists remain contractualized; in spite of the Balik Scientist Act, they still find more incentive to work in other countries. The government has also repeatedly prioritized profits over science, seen in their insistence on the face shield policy despite many scientists’ denouncing its effectiveness.
On the environmental front, Duterte has approved plans to reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 75% and has emphasized the need to move away from coal as a source of energy. However, many environmental groups have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of concrete plans to make communities safer from natural disasters. And despite what he says, the Philippines still continues to rely on coal, as seen in the increase of coal-generated power from 2016 to 2019. To add, projects such as the controversial dolomite in the Manila Bay sour the government’s supposed commitment to the environment.
Overall, the Duterte administration has left many promises half baked, failing to truly commit to the change he promised us six years ago. The next president will have to lead us as we slowly try to return to pre-pandemic life. This transitionary period demands stringent planning and competent execution, spearheaded by leaders who understand the stakes at hand.
#1 | Pandemic response
The most pressing issue is the pandemic, and how we can move forward from the standstill we’ve found ourselves in the past 2 years. Expectedly, this is what many candidates focused on and majority have presented their own plans to combat COVID-19.
Robredo’s plan focuses on increasing funds for COVID-19 efforts. She also stresses the importance of a competent Department of Health secretary and the involvement of experts from different sectors. Among this is reforming the healthcare system, providing stimulus packages for enterprises, and strengthening local industries. She also plans to establish an organized contact tracing system. Out of all the candidates, Robredo has the strongest track record when it comes to pandemic response. She has been lauded for her office’s multiple projects, from Bayanihan E-Konsulta to the Vaccine Express. Even more commendable is that all of this has been done with one of the smallest budgets compared to other government offices. While she has not slated any concrete plans, Robredo has also been vocal for increased support for scientific research.
As mayor of Manila, Isko Moreno was one of the first officials to prepare for COVID-19. One of his strategies was building facilities, such as laboratories and dialysis areas for COVID-19 patients. Moreno plans to replicate this on a national scale while also reopening the economy. Like Robredo, he will also appoint different experts to assess COVID-19 plans, seen in his choice of Willie Ong as vice presidential running mate.
Labor leader Ka Leody de Guzman emphasizes the reallocation of intelligence funds to COVID-19 efforts and replacing military leaders with health experts. In addition, he vows to create more jobs for Filipinos. Bongbong Marcos will focus on increasing the budget for research and healthcare and the vaccination of workers to speed up economic recovery.
Other presidential candidates have not yet released their plans for COVID-19 response, but both Manny Pacquiao and Senator Ping Lacson have slammed the current government for their failures in addressing the pandemic.
It can be seen that most of the candidates plan to focus on increasing efforts for COVID-19, and improve on what Duterte lacked: funds and the presence of experts. Most plans focus on the immediate recovery from the virus, and understandably so. After nearly two years, Filipinos are clamoring for a concrete solution. However, not many candidates have addressed the long term need to strengthen research efforts in epidemiology, biotechnology, and the life sciences. Like how South Korea made reforms after MERS, there also needs to be concrete plans that future proof the country for the next pandemic. This includes, but is not limited to: creation of isolation facilities, simulations for outbreaks, testing laboratories, and increased funding for public health measures. Most importantly, the government must gain back the public’s trust, something that has been broken by issues such as Dengvaxia, through effective science communication.
#2 | Tackling climate change
The root causes of pandemic outbreaks are often similar to what aggravates the environment. If there’s anything COVID-19 has taught us, it’s that the time to make bold plans to tackle climate change is fast approaching. The Philippines is one of the countries most affected by climate change, with many communities vulnerable to rising sea levels and other natural hazards. There’s no doubt that the environment should be at the forefront of political plans for 2022.
De Guzman has specified multiple environmentalist plans in his agenda, including the phasing out of coal power plants, carrying out ecological restoration projects, and using environmentally sustainable production technology in reindustrialization. Notably, de Guzman also has two environmentalists on his senatorial slate.
Robredo plans to have a holistic approach for reducing energy emissions, taking into account the various sectors that would be affected by such changes, like jeepney drivers. In the vice presidential elections, she was also known for her strong anti-coal power plant stance.
Moreno, on the other hand, plans to focus on rehabilitation of forests. He notes that, in doing so, there would be more natural resources that can be used for his post COVID recovery plan.
Other candidates have not made any statements regarding their plans for climate change. It is worth noting that the late Ferdinand Marcos implemented many anti-environmental projects, such as the Bataan Nuclear Powerplant. Bongbong Marcos has not condemned his father’s destructive projects, despite his calls for a “greener Philippines” in the last 2016 vice presidential race.
While it’s still early on in the election season, the general lack of concrete plans for tackling climate change is disappointing. The next president’s plans will happen as we experience a climate emergency. Thus, we need a leader who has preventive measures in mind, not just reactionary band-aid plans.
#3 | Disaster risk preparedness and management
Every year, the Philippines experiences natural disasters that can worsen if climate change is left unchecked. In line with calls for a greener and climate-resilient Philippines is the need for a leader who will help us weather these storms.
Last year, Robredo was seen helping in efforts for disaster relief during Typhoon Ulysses and Rolly. As many people questioned the absence of Duterte and the lack of information from the national government, Robredo was notably the first to extend help for stricken areas. Even in the recent Typhoon Maring, the vice president quickly dispatched teams to Northern Luzon. Moreno also gave assistance to typhoon Ulysses and Rolly victims, beyond handling typhoon responses in Manila City.
Our candidates have the machinery and people to carry out large relief operations, and they have proven time and time again that they are able to react quickly. However, like climate change, there also need to be risk reduction measures and effective communication channels. Environmental groups have repeatedly slammed current and past governments for perpetuating the narrative of resilience. As typhoons become more destructive, the next leader should make plans to future-proof communities for natural disasters, protecting people, their homes and their livelihoods.
#4 | Support for scientists
Candidates have lamented the overall lack of funds for science research in the Philippines. Robredo and Marcos criticized the budget cut for the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. However, the lack of support for science goes beyond COVID-19. Prior to the pandemic, scientists have suffered from delayed stipend releases, the lack of budget for research, and bureaucratic obstacles. The government themselves have echoed sentiments that demotivate scientists, from Duterte lambasting the Octa Research Group to Cynthia Villar’s critique of funds for research.
While criticisms of the current administration are welcome, candidates should also make clear what their plans are to strengthen science and technology in the Philippines. Science is not just borne of intelligence, it is at its best when it is supported and rewarded. Part of this are candidates’ stances on labor rights, as scientists are workers too. De Guzman’s labor agenda focuses on ending contractualization, with Robredo also fighting to uphold the rights of workers. The lack of competitive salary, despite having a heavier workload compared to other countries, for scientists has been a long standing issue. There should also be reforms for the processes of acquiring materials for research, as bureaucracy has often impeded scientists from pursuing their work.
There is still more to come with regards to the presidential race, and it is very possible that many stances will be reexamined. As candidates discuss and debate issues, we must also actively engage in discourse. And when we eventually elect our next leaders, the spirit of scientific inquiry and critical thinking must persist. There will be no perfect president, and as citizens, it’s our responsibility to check our officials and ensure they follow up on their promises. After all, you can hide fire, but the smoke will always remain.
