Plant pathology expert named national scientist

PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. has conferred the title of national scientist on philanthropist-scientist and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Romulo Davide following his development of control agents against nematodes or roundworms which benefited farmers.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Proclamation Order No. 643 last August 2 recognizing Da-vide’s achievements in the fields of nematology and plant pathology.

Davide was commended for his work in the field of nematology and plant pathology which resulted in the development of a biological control agent against nematodes, which provided Filipino farmers with an alternative to chemical nematicides.

Under Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1003-A, dated 16 December 1976, achievements by Filipinos in sci-ence and technology that have contributed to the progress of the country and humanity deserve the recognition and acknowledgment of the government in pursuit of its policy of furthering national devel-opment through enhanced scientific and technological research and development.

Through the proclamation, Davide, the older brother of former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, has been accorded the rank and title of national scientist with the privileges and emoluments extended through current laws.

Bersamin also signed Proclamation Order No. 642 last August 2 recognizing Dr. Carmencita Padilla as a national scientist. She was recognized for her work in the field of genetics that greatly contributed to the enactment of Republic Act (RA) No. 9288, the Newborn Screening Act of 2004, and RA No. 10747, or the Rare Diseases Act of the Philippines.

Those legislations aim to prevent mental retardation and death from certain congenital disorders de-tectable at birth.

The President initially conferred the title on Padilla in August 2023 following the recommendation of the Secretary of Science and Technology and the National Academy of Science and Technology.

Padilla served as chancellor of the University of the Philippines Manila and has been a member of the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) since 2008.