The Department of Health reported that cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Philippines. Currently, there are projects that are being funded by Department of Science and Technology. One of which is the one that makes use of immunoliposome method. It is now being developed for cancer patients. This is a type of treatment with fewer side effects and less pain.

Saluyot, water hyacinth and maguey are now used as alternative textile material because of their natural fiber source.

Saluyot is known as a healthful vegetable commonly cooked with bamboo shoots. It is also known as jute leaves and called famine food by Africans because it is a vegetable that gives remedy during food crisis. Water hyacinth grows in the country’s freshwater bodies. Because of its abundance, the plant is considered as a weed that may clog water stream and kills aquatic life. Maguey grows wild in northern Luzon, Cebu and Panay. It is used in cordage, ropes, twines, carpets, wall coverings, crafts and handmade paper.

Nowadays, herbal drugs can be easily purchased in the market. Health practitioners are protesting that those drugs should adhere to safety regulations and industry standards. Antonio Miguel Dans, a cardiologist and National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) division chairman, stressed out that herbal drug must be restricted to the public. He said that the World Health Organization is not in favour of the customary medicine in the Philippines. Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) promotes herbal medicines in tablet and syrup forms based on the scientific processing of lagundi, sambong and tsaang gubat. It also sells herbal soaps. However, PITAHC requires herbal drug companies to comply with TM/CAM standardization and regulation.

In the launching of the Philippine Genomics Center in Shangri-la Hotel Makati City, Mario Montejo, Science and Technology Secretary, said that DOST will be focusing in its genomics program on health, agriculture, livestock, fisheries and biodiversity. DOST introduced Genomics, a flagship program that is considered as a game-changing tool that may offer vast rewards to people.