House approves DoST, DTI budgets

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THE House of Representatives approved the budgets of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at the plenary on Wednesday.A few lawmakers interpellated on the budget of the DoST, with some calling for an increase on some of its divisions and bureaus, as well as research initiatives.Samar Second District Rep. Reynolds Michael Tan said an increase on the budget of the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) is 'important' to catalyze the country's innovation among local government units.Currently, the NRCP has a budget of around P163 million under the 2024 Budget, lower than the P372 million proposed by the DoST.'It is our duty as lawmakers to channel capacity building to our constituents as thy receive the tools, knowledge and framework they need to survive.' Tan said in his interpellation.Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Danniel Manuel also called for the restoration of the funds that were cut from the NRCP, Philippine Science High School system, and the National Academy of Science and Technology.'If the country wants to have a genuine and strong national industries, Science and Technology has the vital role to do that,' Manuel said.The DoST is proposing a P25.9 billion budget for 2024.Meanwhile, at the DTI plenary debate, sponsor and Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Christopher de Venecia said the reduction of the DTI's proposed P21 billion budget to P7.9 billion will 'negatively impact implementation of seven laws' under the department.These are the Safeguard Measures Act, Philippine Creative Industries Act, Internet Transactions Act, Philippine E-Commerce Act, and the Vaporized Nicotine And Electronic Tobacco Products Regulation Act, among others.'It would also have a negative effect on the projects of the Agency which includes the implementation of the Shared Services Facilities, opening of new posts in countries with strong potential for the Philippines to increase its bilateral investment opportunitie