President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named two new national scientists due to their immense contribution to the field of genetics, nematology, and plant pathology.
Proclamations 642 and 643 have been issued by the President, declaring that Carmencita David Padilla, MD, MAHPS, and Romulo Gelbolingo Davide, Ph. D. as national scientists. This is upon the recommendation of the Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum and the National Academy of Science and Technology.
The proclamation was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin where it states that Padilla was recognized for her work in genetics that helped establish the Republic Act (RA) 9288, the Newborn Screening Act. of 2004, RA 10747 or the Rare Diseases Act of the Philippines.
Those legislations aim to prevent mental retardation and death from certain congenital disorders detectable at birth.
Davide was praised for his work in nematology and plant pathology, which led to the development of biological pesticides that Filipino farmers could use as an alternative to chemical nematicides.
The “National Scientists“ rank and title were made official by Presidential Decree (PD) 1003-A issued Dec. 16, 1976 by the President’s father and namesake, the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.
Photo Courtesy: National Academy of Science and Technology and Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation