DOST boosts capacity to turn research and data into bankable projects and national policies

by Joy Calvar @DOST Gates Program | January 9, 2026

By Joy Calvar, DOST Gates Program - Representatives from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) gathered from December 2 to 4, 2025, for the “Collaborate, Translate, Transform” seminar-writeshop to strengthen the department’s capacity to turn research and data into bankable project proposals and evidence-informed policies. Conducted in collaboration with UNDP Philippines, UP-NCPAG, and NRCP, the initiative aims to harness DOST’s wealth of information for strategic actions that contribute to national development. (Photo by John Kenneth Fraga, DOST Gates Program)

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is taking significant strides toward strengthening its capacity to transform technical data and research insights into bankable project proposals and evidence-informed policies that drive national development.

The initiative was led by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Development Cooperation and the Geospatial Analytics and Technology Solutions (GATES) Program, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines, experts from the University of the Philippines - National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP NCPAG), and the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP).

A Vision for Data-Driven Governance

In his speech, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. emphasized that the department's goal is to evolve into an agile, data-driven, and future-ready organization that transforms information into national value. He underscored that decisions must be firmly grounded in evidence to ensure they align with global cooperation priorities and national development goals.

"Data must be connected. It must speak a common language. It must move from information to insight to action," Secretary Solidum stated. "As the Department that leads innovation, we must also lead in harmonization, integration, and translation".

Strengthening Proposal Development for Global Competitiveness

In collaboration with the UNDP Philippines, the first two days of the series focused on developing high-impact project proposals.

Experts guided participants through problem framing and stakeholder mapping to create a pipeline of project concept notes addressing three strategic areas: human capital development, innovation and economic development, and climate change and disaster risk reduction.

UNDP Resident Representative Knut Ostby noted that improving the ability to leverage Official Development Assistance (ODA) and external financing positions science and technology initiatives as catalysts for private-sector engagement and domestic investment.

“This is about scaling innovations where they are needed most,” Otsby said.

DOST Assistant Secretary for Development Mr. Rodolfo J. Calzado, Jr. also encouraged participants to further develop their group outputs into full draft concept notes, as these will serve as a preparatory step for the proposed one-on-one coaching sessions with the UNDP team scheduled to begin in the early months of 2026, refining the outputs into investment-ready project concept notes.

Bridging Research to Policy and Open Data

The final day of the series, conducted with experts from the UP-NCPAG, focused on the research-to-policy landscape.

Participants explored pathways to translate technical findings into actionable insights for national and sectoral policies while discussing the institutionalization of open data to advance good governance and transparency

Asec. Calzado, Jr. concluded that while the DOST system generates a wealth of geospatial data and technical knowledge annually, impact only occurs when that data is translated into strategic, people-centered action.

By maximizing the use of its organizational data through the GATES Program, DOST continues to reinforce its commitment to a data-driven government that provides solutions and opportunities for all Filipinos.

Through the "Collaborate, Translate, Transform: Seminar and Writeshop Series on Partnership and Proposal Development, Research Translation, and Policy Development," held from December 2 to 4, 2025, the Department gathered representatives from its Central Office and attached agencies to bridge the gap between information generation and actionable results.

GATES Program is one of the eight banner research and development programs of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions and Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph.

OWWA, PCSO Welcome Home OFWs Arriving from Kuwait in “Bagong Taong Salubong sa OFWs”

by Info @Brand Zone | January 9, 2026

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Tuesday warmly welcomed 312 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) arriving from Kuwait in an activity dubbed “Bagong Taong Salubong sa OFWs.”

The activity was organized as a heartfelt welcome for OFWs returning home at the start of the year, recognizing their sacrifices and contributions to their families and to the nation. It also highlighted the government’s continued commitment to ensuring that Filipino migrant workers feel supported, valued, and cared for upon their arrival in the country.

Present during the event were OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan, PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles, PCSO Chairman Judge Felix P. Reyes (Ret.), and members of the PCSO Board of Directors, namely Jennifer E. Liongson-Guevara, Janet De Leon Mercado, and Imelda A. Papin.

As part of the program, PCSO distributed Charitimba, its in-kind assistance packages, to all the OFWs to help address their immediate needs and serve as a gesture of support as they reunite with their families.

PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles underscored the importance of welcoming OFWs home and reaffirmed PCSO’s role as a steadfast partner to their families in the Philippines while they work abroad.

“PCSO stands as a partner to your families here in the Philippines, ready to assist and provide support while you continue to work abroad. We want to assure you that you are not alone. As you strive to build a better future for your loved ones, PCSO remains committed to looking after the welfare of your families back home,” Robles said. 

OWWA officials likewise reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to continuously provide welfare programs, reintegration assistance, and support services to OFWs and their families.

The PCSO Bagong Taong Salubong sa OFWs forms part of PCSO’s ongoing social responsibility initiatives, carried out in close coordination with partner agencies, to extend timely assistance and compassion to Filipino workers and their families.

---

Quick Market Errand Turns into P19-M PCSO Lotto Win for Couple

By: Justin B. Santos and Nomar G. Reynon

A simple trip to the public market turned into a life-changing moment for a husband and wife who claimed the ₱19-million jackpot prize from the year-end 6/42 lotto draw of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

The couple emerged as the lone winner of the 6/42 lotto drawn on December 30, 2025, which yielded the winning combination 06-32-29-24-37-04. The jackpot prize was officially claimed on January 5, 2026, at the Sun Plaza Building in Mandaluyong City, where the winners also shared their story during a brief interview with PCSO officials.

According to the couple,they decided to try their luck through a Lucky Pick during their usual stroll to the public market while preparing for the New Year celebration. What seemed like an ordinary routine unexpectedly resulted in a fortune that would alter the course of their lives.

The winners revealed that they had long been playing the lotto, faithfully trying their luck on a set of preferred number combinations over the years. Despite their persistence, their chosen numbers had never yielded a win, not even a three-digit combination or a “balik-taya.” This prompted them to occasionally rely on Lucky Pick entries, including the ticket that eventually won the jackpot.

The husband shared that when he checked the winning numbers the next day, he was briefly stunned. It was hard to focus on their New Year’s Eve celebration as the reality of their good fortune slowly sank in.

With the unexpected win, the couple shared that the husband has decided not to return to work as seafarer, saying he’s already spent many years away from his family and wants to slow down. Instead, they plan to focus on rebuilding their life together.

One of their main priorities is starting a small business for steady income, while setting aside part of their winnings to cover their child’s medical need.

The PCSO once again reminds the public that lottery games are games of chance and encourages everyone to play responsibly, while highlighting that the lotto continues to transform lives, sometimes in the most unexpected moments.

                                                      Sa Bawat Taya May Kawanggawa!

PhilHealth implements one-time interest waiver to help employers and members settle contributions

by Info @Brand Zone | January 9, 2026

PR No. 2026-01 - January 6, 2026

PhilHealth welcomes the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to implement a one-time waiver program for incurred interests from missed premium payments. This is a concrete measure to help employers, self-employed individuals, and other covered members settle long standing contribution obligations and restore good standing with the National Health Insurance Program. 

The waiver policy underscores the administration's commitment to fairness, economic recovery, and sustained access to healthcare by addressing the accumulated burden of interest arising from missed premium payments. 

To provide clarity, the one-time waiver applies strictly to interest charges, and does not cover unpaid premium contributions. The policy is designed to assist employers and self-employed individuals whose arrears have ballooned primarily because of compounded interest, while ensuring continuous delivery of benefits of employees and members of PhilHealth.  

To further ease the financial burden on covered entities, PhilHealth is providing a one-year settlement window from the effectivity of the Circular, during which outstanding premium contributions may be paid. Employers who settle earlier within the prescribed period may qualify for greater reductions in interest, including partial or full waiver, depending on the length of the payment term. 

For the employed sector, the guidelines for availing waiver will be published soon. Meanwhile, the detailed implementing mechanics for the self-employed sector are being finalized and will be issued separately to ensure proper guidance and orderly implementation. 

As part of the program safeguards, employers availing of the one-time waiver are required to register their employees under the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) and ensure completion of the First Patient Encounter (FPE), in line with PhilHealth policy. This requirement reinforces the intent of the waiver—not only to recover missed contributions, but also to connect workers and their families to accessible primary care services.

PhilHealth encourages all eligible employers and members to take advantage of this limited, one-time opportunity, and advises the public to await official announcements for further details on implementation timelines and payment arrangement options, particularly for the self-employed sector. 

For more information, employers may contact PhilHealth’s 24/7 hotline at (02) 866-225-88 or at mobile numbers (Smart) 0998-857-2957, 0968-865-4670, (Globe) 0917-1275987 or 0917-1109812.