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Today marks the ninth anniversary of AGHAM or the
Samahan ng Nagtataguyod ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Sambayanan.
Since our inception on July 24,
1999, AGHAM has obtained the recognition as the science and
technology organization most vocal and active on issues concerning
the environment, public utilities, food security and
self-sufficiency, scientific and mass culture and advocacy for
national industrialization. We are glad that in more than one
occasion, our work and position on issues has made front-page news.
We are a national organization of
scientists, engineers and advocates dedicated to make science and
technology serve the people through direct community service and
advocacy. We have chapters in government offices, in Los Banos and
the NCR as well as individual members from Baguio, Bataan, in the
Visayas, in Iloilo and Cebu and in Mindanao.
Since 1999, we have figured
prominently in various issues concerning the Meralco refund (2002)
and other campaigns against power rate hikes (2005). AGHAM has been
active in filing opposition to these hikes at the Energy Regulatory
Commission since 2004 and has also filed petitions on several issues
to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals together with other
groups like Bayan Muna and its allies.
During the height of the Hello
Garci controversy, we have been one of the first to offer to test
the tapes. In the Wowowee tradgedy, we pointed out the science
behind stampedes as well as the economic reasons that push the
people to risk their lives. We have joined mobilizations of farmers,
workers and other sectors on different issues related not only to
science and technology but also to general concerns such as oil
price hikes, increasing food prices, foreign military presence and
other gut issues of the day.
From 2001 until now, we have
joined TXTPower as its secretariat while exposing and fighting
against the imposition of text taxes as well as unreasonable rates
and pricing of telecommunications companies. We participated in
Congressional hearings at the House of Representatives and the
Senate on issues such as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of
2001, mining, genetic engineering and science budgets. We have also
stood consistently in calling for increased research and development
funding and campaigning against science budget cuts since 1999.
We have worked with the people of
Rapu-Rapu and Defend Patrimony! in pointing out the folly of
Lafayette mining operations. This engagement against mining transnational
corporations and our work with affected communities and groups have
led to our involvement in drafting a People’s Mining Policy which
puts the interest of the people first rather than expedite foreign
mining plunder. We have also stood with workers in investigating the
effects of chemical exposure as well as with farmers in trying to
help them improve their production and resist transnational control
in agriculture while marching with them and calling for genuine land
reform.
Moreover, we have consistently
put out newsletters since our founding anniversary and maintained a
website(www.agham.org) to disseminate our findings and positions. We
have programs for science education with our People’s Science
School, that brings basic science education to communities, as well
as the Science for the People Colloquium that we have been
conducting since 2001. In addition, AGHAM also joined international
conferences and other alliances such as the International Alliance
Against Agrochemical Transnational Corporations and the
International League of People’s Struggles.
Our nine year advocacy work has
shown us that the people must be at the receiving end of the
products of any scientific and technological undertaking for it to
be most meaningful. We believe that it is best when science and
technology are used to uplift the lives of the broad masses of our
people and not just the few elite.
Historically, science and
technology development has never been and never will be separated
from the concerns of society. As the people seek to make their farms
productive, build industries, produce local goods that they can
utilize and improve their living conditions, people will find
themselves developing science and shaping trends in technology to
address their needs.
This is the social context in
which scientists and engineers of this country are called upon to
act. Without a doubt, they possess a great potential and play a
crucial role towards attaining genuine development. In the end, it
is through the struggle of the people towards a better future that
scientists and engineers can find unity with them. Only through
realizing this goal that we can make science and technology serve
the people.
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As part of our anniversary
activities, AGHAM is holding a forum today at 8:30am on the “Rice
Crisis, Agricultural Modernization and Landlessness” at the Balay
Kalinaw in UP Diliman. Everybody is welcome to attend.
prom.bound@gmail.com
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