DOST is the government’s best-kept secret no more, thanks to the Department of Science and Technology – Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII).
The prestigious Singapore-based GovMedia Conference and Awards 2024 honored DOST-STII as the Philippines Campaign of the Year in the field of Science and Technology for being steadfast in its mission to bring science, technology, and innovation closer to the people through its science broadcast program DOSTv: Science For The People.
In 2017, Filipinos’ national awareness of news and information about Science and Technology was only at 6%, according to a survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS). However, a year after DOSTv’s debut, the broadcast program may have significantly contributed as the figures continued to climb, soaring to 35% in 2023.
“We are so honored by this award from GovMedia. We started daily broadcasting, live streaming, wala ‘yang previous experience but we were able to do it for one year. And then, we developed new shows and programs… it’s constantly evolving. DOSTv has always been a great achiever because we set parameters, we set goals. And constantly, DOSTv has managed to achieve all of them,” said DOST-STII Director Richard P. Burgos.
One of DOSTv’s programs, ExperTalk,successfully connected Filipinos to our country’s seasoned experts which sparked interest in the field of science and technology. Its multi-
awarded magazine program Siyensikat: Pinoy Popular Science Para sa Lahat also played a vital role in democratizing people’s access to scientific interventions and providing solutions to day-to-day problems.
Meanwhile, its radio news program Radyo Siyensya: Sa DOST, Konektado Ka! assisted thousands of listeners by highlighting different programs, projects, and initiatives of DOST. Bantay Bulkan, also a public service program of DOSTv, has consistently kept the people updated on the latest volcanic activities.
Since its inception in 2016, DOSTv has become DOST’s official broadcast platform and has featured countless narratives that embody a brand of science that is always for the people.
The weight of DOSTv’s impact in transforming the nation was most evident when the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) listed the broadcast platform under its National Priority Plan (NPP). This means that when it comes to achieving economic development, the national government sees DOSTv as one of its priority programs. Its inclusion in the NPP helped DOSTv acquire extra resources, generating P10.5 million in donations.
“All our donations from Hyundai, the vans we have received, mostly went to DOSTv, which will now allow them to go around the country. They now have the transportation resources to bring them there. Wala na yung problema natin dati. Even the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has seen the importance of supporting DOSTv as a program, allowing us to create new plantilla positions… Kaya nakaka-proud talaga ‘yang DOSTv. They have shown that it is a very viable and vital program of government,” Burgos emphasized.
Donations were not the only things that DOSTv has bagged. The broadcast platform has also continued to bring home the Gandingan ng Kaunlaran major award for the fourth time this 2023 and has won the Civil Service Commission’s highly-coveted Presidential Lingkod Bayan (Regional Level) for its life-changing developmental narratives.
Today, more than 2,200 DOSTv episodes are available and on-demand through its official website (www.dostv.ph) and its social media sites such as Facebook, and YouTube Channel. (PR)
By Lourdes M. Nadonga
