Charles Teves
Netizens are baffled at some of the ideas being proposed by congressmen.
On December 8, Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo asked if the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) could drill a hole into volcanoes.
Romualdo, who is from a province in Mindanao that has 7 volcanoes, raised the suggestion that netizens think was funny but absurd.
He said, “I want to ask if the material used for rockets that can withhold heat in going to the moon or (space) exploration can be used to drill holes in volcanoes.”
In his curiosity, Romualdo wondered if there had been any studies about lavas emanating from volcanoes that didn’t cause eruptions.
“Imagine, (space rockets) do not melt when they return from space. Why can’t we use it to drill holes so that volcanoes will no longer erupt?” he furthered.
Volcanic eruptions, as described by Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., are caused by the combination of internal pressure and heat.
“Even if one would tamper with the volcano, it may trigger an eruption, not stop it because the magma is more enormous than whatever trigger we want to do,” Solidum said. He added, “If we lessen the pressure of the volcano at the top, it might trigger the sudden rise of magma and it will explode. That’s why nobody has tried to do that.”
However, it wasn’t only Romualdo who suggested something funny. Rep. Rodante Marcoleta inquired with Solidum as to whether or not the DOST could produce “food pills” or food packets similar to those consumed by astronauts.
Due to the lack of a functioning kitchen in space, Marcoleta claims astronauts must go without eating freshly cooked meals.
“We could help the poorest of the poor with your invention of pills or whatever. Once the poor people drink it, in two weeks they will no longer have to buy or cook food. That will be a great thing,” Marcoleta said.
Marcoleta admitted that his proposal was mere “palliative” meant to “fill the gap” temporarily “because the poorest of the poor have really nothing to eat,” he explained.
Because of their suggestions, Marcoleta and Romualdo were bashed by netizens.
https://twitter.com/VolimyaNervosa/status/1600386020209414144?s=20
Tanga talaga ng mga nasa majority ng kongreso natin, ano? https://t.co/04oJbgn7gn
— Peter Cayton, the Stats Guy (@PJACaytonPhD) December 7, 2022
For reference and sakit ng head, watch: https://t.co/e3FxgkKQFN
— E (@MadamHiddles) December 7, 2022
Marcoleta and Romualdo’s ideas are indicative of the lack of focus on science education in the country, said a netizen.
Our lawmakers are the strongest indictment of science education in this country pic.twitter.com/zfYYVlhZbU
— Paolo S. Macasaet (@paolosmacasaet) December 7, 2022
https://twitter.com/SaltAndReality/status/1601043709230862337?s=20
