A bill has just been approved at the Senate renaming Agham Road to Senator Miriam P. Defensor-Santiago Avenue. While the intent to honor the legacy of the late Senator Miriam Santiago is laudable, it should not come at the expense of another noble cause. One so crucial to the future of our nation - the pursuit of science and technology for our national development. This is in fact recognized by the Senator herself and she filed bills aimed at improving its state and the plight of scientists and engineers in the country. I don’t think that she will be honored that her name is now being used to remove a symbol important to the scientific and engineering community.

Agham Road was so named because it is the road where the Philippine Science High School was built. Philippine Science or Pisay for short was founded with the purpose of nurturing the brightest young minds in science and engineering in the country. Generations of academics, industry leaders and civil servants leveraging science and technology have their beginnings at Pisay. Pisay occupied most of the stretch of Agham Road. As such, if we are to name roads to what’s in that road, Agham would be a natural choice - being the Filipino word for Science.

But road names are more than just telling us what’s in there. As the bill purports, it can be to pay tribute to a remarkable individual. It's worth noting that we have yet to honor our nation's accomplished scientists and engineers in the same manner. The time is ripe for change, and Agham Road holds the potential to serve as a testament to these unsung heroes. Scientists and engineers, often shunning spotlight have silently contributed to our knowledge, invented products that solved problems and built industries that employed Filipinos. Like National Scientist Gregorio Zara who invented the first photo phone and other devices for more convenient communication; Dr. Ramon Gustilo whose orthopedic research and systems brought life to those unable to walk; or Engineer Diosdado Banatao whose chipsets and startups contributed to the growth of the computer industry, to name just a few. It is our duty to illuminate their achievements by creating lanes named after these luminaries, all branching from Agham Road.

Agham Road can be used to inspire everyone. Located at Barangay Bagong Pag-asa, it is a beacon of hope for those dreaming to contribute to the nation’s scientific and technological progress. I used to drive my son to Pisay from Taguig. At times the way gets unbearable with all the traffic. But when I get in to Agham Road, my mood lightens - “We are almost there”. We are not there yet as a country - but Science can help pave the way. From Batman to Iron Man, Newton to Einstein, we associate scientific thinking to heroes. Scientific thinking is the road that leads to critical thinking, problem solving, discovery and innovation. Agham Road can shape the aspirations of the next generation of Filipinos and highlight a better future for our country. Let it be our bat-signal, our arc reactor, the road the best in us gravitates to and drives the heroism in all of us.

The importance of having symbols that inspire the next generation of Filipino scientists and engineers cannot be overstated. In a time when the world is rapidly advancing technologically, having a highly skilled scientific and engineering workforce is required to maintain our competitiveness. The Philippines lags in science and technology. It must invest in these fields to remain globally competitive. Preserving Agham Road is an investment that does not cost much but keeps on returning. It upholds a concept that embodies the dedication of our scientists and engineers, motivating the next generation to follow in their illustrious footsteps. 

Renaming Agham Road would be a step backward in this effort. It would erase a symbol of our commitment to science and technology, and it would send a message that we do not value these fields as much as we should. Instead of renaming Agham Road, we should find a way to honor Senator Santiago's legacy while also preserving and building on the road's symbolic meaning. In this technology-driven world, let us stand united in improving Agham Road as a beacon of knowledge and innovation, and the legacy of Senator Santiago's dedication to science and technology.