STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE ROGER “OGING” MERCADO
Southern Leyte, Lone District
Chair, Committee on Constitutional Amendments
Deputy Majority Leader
Mobile: 0917-865-2286 Twitter: @OgingMercado
Super Moon, Blue Moon and Total Lunar Eclipse all happening tonight: January 31, 2018
REP. ROGER MERCADO PUSHES FOR SCIENCE BILLS
Allow me to seize the opportunity presented by the January 31 “Super Blue Blood Moon” phenomenon, lunar eclipse, and the ongoing eruption of Mayon Volcano to advance Congress’ advocacy for science education.
I happen to have a bill, House Bill 2516, which seeks the establishment of a science high school in Maasin, Southern Leyte. I am also keen in co-authoring HB 4275 for the creation of a Philippine Space Agency. HB 4275 was filed by Manila’s Rep. John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto and Rep. Edward Maceda.
Unknown to millions of Filipinos who were born and raised in urban areas, fishermen take advantage of scientific phenomena caused by moonlight and the effects of the moon’s movements.
Photo credit: NASA
https://goo.gl/kdXJGDI am of the belief that fisher folk communities should also be taught about astronomy and how it can help them catch more fish and navigate the seas.
Now that Mayon Volcano is erupting, we are reminded that Filipinos ought to learn more about geology, volcanology, seismology, physics, chemistry, and biochemistry—the sciences involved in knowing how volcanoes behave.
From Maasin, the nearest science high school is a far 180 kilometers away in Tacloban City. I seek a better life for my constituents and science education is one way to bring Southern Leyte households out of poverty and help the province apply the sciences in the fishing, ecotourism, and farming livelihoods.
The Southern Leyte Science High School would have profound positive impact on my constituents and their future generations.
For the whole country, a Philippine Space Agency would help us have more man-made satellites useful for natural resource mapping, exploration of the Benham Rise and the South China Sea, and monitoring of our forests, integrated protected areas, and remote islands. (END)
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