Filipinos’ satisfaction with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has improved amid its COVID-19 pandemic response in 2020.
The survey results conducted by a third-party survey company for 2020 found that among the 98% of Filipino adults who are aware of the DOST, 66% are satisfied with the performance of the Department with a very good net satisfaction rating of +57. This is an improvement from the very good net satisfaction rating of +51 in December 2019.
By geographical area, DOST’s net satisfaction is very good in Balanced Luzon of +65, in the Visayas at +55, in Mindanao at +50, and good in the National Capital Region with +47.
By age, the DOST obtained very good net satisfaction ratings across all age groups with +60 among 18-24-year-olds, +57 among 25-34-year-olds and 45-54-year-olds, and +56 among 55-year-olds and older; and +55 among 35-44-year-olds.
These encouraging figures reflect the DOST’s continued efforts in implementing different development programs that give meaning to its mantra of science for the people.
The DOST has been developing projects, programs, and knowledge products and services that focus on needed research and development initiatives and innovation in the areas of agricultural productivity; enterprise development; health and nutrition; scholarships and science education; industry competitiveness; emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, space science, and satellite technology; information and communication technology; and disaster risk reduction and management, to name a few.
Some of the programs of the DOST continue to provide the needed solutions to everyday problems besetting the Filipinos are the following:
- Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP)
- Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST)
- Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (CRADLE) Program
- Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER) Program
- R&D Leadership (RDLead) Program
- Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) for Industry Program
- OneLab Program
- OneExpert Program
- iFWD for Overseas Filipino Workers
- Tuklas Lunas (Drug Discovery) Program
- Makinarya at Teknolohiya Para sa Bayan or MakiBayan Program
- Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines or SARAI
- Itik Pinas and Native Pig programs
- scholarship programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students
The DOST aggressively responds to the needs of different stakeholders in various industries by creating and maintaining modern R&D facilities and technology hubs like the following:
- Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory (ADMATEL)
- Electronic Products Development Center (EPDC)
- Packaging R&D Center
- Innovation Center for Yarns and Textiles
- Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCen) for 3D printing
S&T awareness of Filipinos jumps to 23%
Equally improving, based on the same survey for the same period, is the level of awareness of Filipinos on news or information about science and technology (S&T) that increased to 23% in the 4th quarter of 2020. This is a marked improvement from the 6% awareness level in 2017, 13% in 2018, and 18% in 2019.
The improvement in the level of awareness may be attributed to the intensified information and communication activities done by the DOST, despite the pandemic, to continue communicating science to the people.
The study further revealed that by geographical area, Mindanao registered 26% awareness level compared to 23% in Balanced Luzon, 22% in the National Capital Region, and 18% in the Visayas.
As to age, it was not surprising that the younger generation who are more technology savvy has a higher level of awareness at 32% among 18-24 years old and 23% among 25-34 years old.
The survey also showed that awareness of news about science and technology is directly proportional to educational attainment. Awareness is highest among college graduates at 48%, among high school graduates at 27%, elementary graduates at 13%, and non-elementary graduates at 3%.
Check out these Best Good News stories in Filipino Science and Technology for 2020 spearheaded by the DOST.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to DOST for improving its net satisfaction rating amid its COVID 19 pandemic response.
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