The satisfaction rating of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) increased to +57 percent in 2020 based on the survey results conducted by a third-party survey company.
The survey found that among the 98 percent of Filipino adults who are aware of the DOST, 66 percent are satisfied with the performance of the department with a very good net satisfaction rating of +57, the DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII) said in its Facebook page.
This was 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 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 to 24-year-olds, +57 among 25 to 34-year-olds and 45 to 54-year-olds, and +56 among 55-year-olds and older; and +55 among 35 to 44-year-olds.
These encouraging figures reflect the DOST’s thrust to intensify its different development programs that focus on needed research and development initiatives and innovative projects, the DOST-STII said.
These are in the areas of agricultural productivity, enterprise development, health and nutrition, scholarships and education, industry competitiveness, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, space science and satellite technology, information and communication technology, and disaster risk reduction and management.
Some of the programs of the DOST continue to provide the needed solutions to everyday problems besetting the Filipinos.
Among these are the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program; Community Empowerment through Science and Technology; the Science for Change Program that includes the Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy, Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D, R&D Leadership, and Business Innovation through S&T for Industry.
Also included are the OneLab Program; OneExpert Program; iFWD for Overseas Filipino Workers; Tuklas Lunas (Drug Discovery) Program; the Makinarya at Teknolohiya para sa Bayan Program; Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines; Itik Pinas and Native Pig programs; and scholarship programs.
The DOST aggressively create and maintain R&D facilities and technology hubs to harness the power of science and technology, like the following: Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory; Electronic Products Development Center; Packaging R&D Center; Innovation Center for Yarns and Textiles; and the Advanced Manufacturing Center for 3D printing.