DOST to Train In-House Scientists in Blockchain
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will be training its in-house scientists and technologists about how blockchain can be used and practically applied in the Philippines.
“It is appearing to be an important emerging technology that we have to be in on,” DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña told Philippine Star.
A number of DOST research specialists across its different institutes are taking the department’s blockchain technology seminar program. This is according to Enrico Paringit, Executive Director of DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD). The program has a fund of ₱1.6 million to teach 70 specialists in the DOST network.
Paringit said the aim of the training is to help DOST not to know more about cryptocurrencies but about how the government can use the technology.
“..Not just for conducting financial transactions and collecting taxes, but also for identifying recipients of health care, financial support such as 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program conditional cash transfers) and emergency aid.”
Enrico Paringit, DOST-PCIEERD
“Our intention really is to build non-cryptocurrency applications (of blockchain technology),” he told Philippine Star, adding that they are studying its use-cases in things like passports, patents, and marriage, birth, and death certificates.
Last March, DOST and the Digital Pilipinas initiative signed a memorandum of understanding around the creation of decentralized innovation centers across universities in the Philippines.
“We need to fast track the developments of innovation and technology. Digital commerce is on the rise, and some businesses thrived during the pandemic. We must also prepare the Philippines for smart technology cities where citizens have the freedom to make choices,” Paringit said at that time.
In 2019, BCB blockchain announces its commitment to support incubators and startup accelerators under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through a Php 15 million fund. The memorandum of agreement was signed during the Philippine Startup Week of that year.
This article is published on BitPinas: DOST to Train In-House Scientists in Blockchain
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