The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) this week held an expo at the World Trade Center in Pasay City with the theme “Handa Pilipinas: Innovations in Risk Reduction and Management Expo 2022.”
The 3-day event discussed the science, technologies, and innovations that “could potentially save our lives, keep us from harm of natural disasters.”
DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. cited a World Bank study which showed that “1.2 percent to as much as 4.6 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic product or GDP is lost annually due to the damages brought about by typhoons.”
“We cannot do away with the Philippines being exposed to the natural hazards and the effects of climate change but we can do something about it to lessen the impacts of the stress,” Solidum told the audience.
The World Bank report, he said, covered the element of exposure, vulnerability, susceptibility and coping capacity.
Among the guests who graced the occasion were Aklan 1st District Rep. and chairman of the House committee on Science and Technology Carlito Marquez; DOST undersecretary for regional operations Sancho Mabborang and DOST undersecretary for Research and Development Dr. Leah Buendia.
Mabborang said recent research showed that the Philippines is known to be one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world.
“It is unimaginable how we met the impact of these hazards which brought about loss of lives and livelihoods and disrupted our society and ultimately our economy,” Mabborang said.
On the other hand, Marquez said the United Nations “is warning us the time is running out as greenhouse gasses are surging of record levels never seen before.”
These greenhouse gasses, he added, are responsible for warming the planet and triggering extreme weather event.