A TOTAL of P8.8 billion is earmarked under next year鈥檚 budget to support state grants for science and technology programs, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.
The funding will support the Department of Science and Technology鈥檚 (DoST) Grants-In-Aid (GIA) Program, the DBM said in a statement.
鈥淲e shall continue providing necessary support to crucial programs such as GIA to help empower our innovators, researchers, and learners, to make a difference in society through science and technology undertakings,鈥 Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman was quoted as saying.
The DoST鈥檚 Grants-In-Aid Program provides grants for the implementation of DoST-priority programs and projects, as well as science and technology activities mentioned in the General Appropriations Act.
In his budget message, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said the GIA Program 鈥渁ims to spur economic growth through the strategic application of science and technology.鈥
Under next year鈥檚 proposed P6.352-trillion budget, the DoST will receive P28.8-billion in total funding. This is expected to help make the Philippines a regional hub for 鈥渟mart and sustainable manufacturing, innovation, creativity, and sustainability.鈥 鈥 Beatriz Marie D. Cruz
