By Gabriela Baron
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) conferred its first ever House of Representatives Exponents of Responsive and Outstanding Engagement in Science (HEROES) Award to Albay Rep. Joey Salceda on Tuesday, May 17.
According to DOST, Salceda was given the award for “his invaluable contributions to the DOST in pushing for DOST-related legislations and upholding the importance of [science and technology] in the country.”
“As we face challenges in various sectors and industries; the critical contribution that [science, technology, and innovation] (STI) plays cannot be overemphasized. At this time of the pandemic, we have to bring STI closer to productive sectors and the people at the grassroots level,” DOST Sec. Fortunato de la Peña.
“If we look at various innovation actors, our legislators and policy-makers complement the much-needed collaboration and value creation,” he added.
Salceda co-authored the following laws:
- Republic Act No. 11035, an Act Institutionalizing the Balik Scientist Program
- Republic Act No. 11312, An Act Strengthening the Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers,
- Researchers and Other Science and Technology Personnel in the Government, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 8439
- Republic Act No. 11363, Philippine Space Act
- Republic Act No. 11337, Innovative StartUp Act
- Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) Act
- Republic Act No. 11534, or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act of 2021
- Education Act of 2017
- Republic Act No. 11467, or the Sin Tax Law of 2020
- Republic Act No. 11569, or Estate Tax Amnesty Extension
He also consistently supported and defended the approval of the DOST Annual Budget at the Committee on Appropriations and Plenary from 2016 up to present. For his efforts as a senior legislator, Salceda has been given various awards and recognitions recently.
DOST also cited Salceda for “consistently supporting and defending” the approval of the DOST Annual Budget at the Committee on Appropriations and Plenary from 2016 up to present. – ag
