By Melvin G. Calimag
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has revealed that it is almost ready to deploy the country?s first science attach? in Israel.
This is according to DOST assistant secretary Raymond Liboro, who said that the science agency has already coordinated with the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding the creation of the new position.
The government said it is making the move to give science and technology a more prominent role in the international stage, noting that science and technology has become a major tool in building a competitive economy.
Liboro, who is also the executive director of the Science and Technology Information Institute (STII) of the DOST, said the science attach? will be an employee of the DOST.
Similar to the Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the science attach? will have the responsibility of promoting the science and technology interest of the Philippines abroad.
In the case of FTSC ? often known as trade attach?s — they serve as the DTI?s frontline movers in international commerce. They are primarily tasked to promote Philippine exports and investments, gather of commercial intelligence, and assist in bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations.
As of today, FTSC is present in 34 posts in 23 countries in Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Asia and the Pacific.
The country?s first science attach?, whose identity is not yet known, will be assigned in Israel, according to Liboro. The Philippines, he said, can gain a lot from the Jewish state, which is a recognized powerhouse in the area of science and technology.
