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The rank and title of National Scientist of the Philippines is the highest award accorded to Filipino scientists by the Philippine government.

The award was created in December 16, 1976 by President Ferdinand Marcos through Presidential Decree Nos. 1003 and 1003-A, which also created the National Academy of Science and Technology. For the purposes of the law, a scientist is defined as “an individual who has earned a doctoral degree in any field of the sciences” and “has demonstrated and earned distinction in independent research or significant innovative achievement in the basic and applied sciences, including agricultural, engineering, and medical sciences, in mathematics and in the social sciences as manifested by [published] works in recognized scientific and technical journals.” ^[1]

Nomination and selection

It is the Academy, which is composed of Filipino scientists, which is empowered to recommend not more than 10 scientists annually to the President of the Philippines for conferment of the rank of National Scientist. It is the President of the Philippines who makes the ultimate selection, which is based on "distinguished individual or collaborative achievement in science and technology."^{[2 ]}

Since 1978, there have been 32 national scientists in the roster. The most recent conferment was made under Proclamation No. 1762 by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to honor veterinarian Teodulo Topacio Jr..

Benefits

Awardees are conferred the rank and title of “National Scientist”, with an accompanying medallion and citation. They are also given a financial gratuity with the amount determined by the National Academy.^{[2 ]} In addition, they are entitled to the same privileges enjoyed by National Artists of the Philippines^[3], which include a monthly life pension, medical and hospitalization benefits, and a place of honor, in line with protocular precedence, at national state functions. They are likewise by law entitled upon death to a state funeral conducted by the National Academy and the Armed Forces of the Philippines^[4], befitting their recognized status as heroes of the Philippines^[5].

List of National Scientists

23 men and 9 women have been designated as National Scientists. Honorees such as the Ramon Magsaysay Award-winning pediatrician Fe del Mundo, have garnered international recognition as well.

As of May 2009, the National Scientists of the Philippines are:

• Juan Salcedo Jr. (1978) †^[6]
• Alfredo Santos (1978) †
• Gregorio Zara (1978) †
• Fe del Mundo (1980)
• Eduardo Quisumbing (1980) †
• Geminiano de Ocampo (1982) †
• Casimito del Rosario (1982) †
• Gregorio Velasquez (1982) †
• Francisco Fronda (1983) †
• Francisco Santos (1983) †
• Carmen Velasquez (1983) †
• Hilario Lara (1985) †
• Teodoro Agoncillo (1985) †^[7]
• Encarnacion Alzona (1985) †
• Julian Banzon (1986) †
• Dioscoro Umali (1986) †
• Luz Oliveros-Belardo (1987) †
• Jose Encarnacion, Jr. (1987) †
• Alfredo Lagmay (1988) †
• Paulo Campos (1989) †
• Pedro Escuro (1994)
• Clara Lim-Sylianco (1994)
• Dolores Ramirez (1998)
• Jose R. Velasco (1998) †
• Gelia Castillo (1999)
• Bienvenido Juliano (2000)
• Clare Baltazar (2001)
• Benito Vergara (2001)
• Onofre Corpuz (2004)
• Ricardo Lantican (2005)
• Lourdes Cruz (2006)
• Teodulo Topacio Jr. (2009)

References

• National Scientists of the Philippines (1978-1998). Pasig City, Philippines: Anvil Publishing, Inc.. 2000. ISBN 971-27-932-9.  

Notes