DOST eyes collaboration with SCE on food safety, other S&T initiatives
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the assistance from the
Philippine Embassy in Singapore, recently initiated exploratory talks with Singapore
Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) on 23 April 2021.
The DOST, led by Undersecretary for S&T Services Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., met with Eric Lee, Director for Southeast and East Asia of SCE to discuss areas of common Interest and collaborative mechanisms that both institutions can jointly undertake.
On the other hand, SCE leads the public-sector collaboration and partnerships of Singapore with foreign governments and generate economic spin-offs from Singapore’s private sector. It scopes out and tailor-fits possible solutions to match the needs of foreign governments and help meet their development objectives.
One of the highlights of the discussion was the possible cooperation on food safety where DOST has several ongoing projects and programs. With the vast opportunities for cooperation, and the many actors actively playing key roles in ensuring food quality and safety, a framework for cooperation may be drafted to harmonize efforts among DOST agencies as well as key Philippine government institutions. With Singapore’s stringent food safety standards, the SCE expressed interest to support the Philippines’ efforts to strengthen its food industry.
The meeting was also attended by the Philippine Embassy in Singapore Consul General Adrian Bernie Candolada, who expressed support in the budding collaboration between DOST and SCE. Initial information and coordination regarding SCE and its areas of expertise were coursed through the Philippine Embassy in Singapore and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Other DOST officials joined DOST Undersecretary Solidum in the meeting, namely: Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation Dr. Leah J. Buendia, DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, DOST-FNRI Director Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, DOST-NCR Director Jose B. Patalinjug III, DOST IV-A Officer-in-Charge Emelita Bagsit, and other technical staff from DOST.
