WITH food prices on the rise and reports of smuggling and shortages of various crops in different areas of the country, Leslie Michelle Dalmacho, president of the Department of Science and Technology-National Research Council of the Philippines (DoST-NRCP), shared some initiatives of the Science department to ensure food and nutrition security for every Filipino.

In a broadcast statement, Dalmacho explained that, for the food and nutrition security program, researchers from the DoST-NRCP were further exploring the country's biodiversity to improve crops through the latest technology and enhance the farm-to-market process for our crops.

She also added that part of the DoST-NRCP's initiatives involved the examining of the environment and ensuring water was clean and suitable for drinking.

Dalmacho provided an in-depth explanation of the National Integrated Basic Research Agenda (Nibra), focusing on the country's basic research direction from 2023 to 2028.

She shared some policies crafted by the council such as the project Danum on watersheds.

This project involved foundational research, integrating descriptive phases and analytical models essential for designing water management strategies.

Dalmacho invited all NRCP members to attend the 2024 DoST Call for Conference, a four-part campaign series of the Annual Call for Conference.

The North Luzon leg was held in Baguio City on Jan. 11, 2024, followed by the Mindanao leg in Cagayan de Oro City on January 18, the Visayas leg in Cebu City on February 8, and the South and National Capital Region leg in Metro Manila on February 15.

For inquiries, email rdmd.rems@nrcp.dost.gov.ph.