Duterte accords National Scientist title to ex-UP president Emil Javier

President Rodrigo Duterte has conferred the National Scientist title to American-educated plant geneticist and agronomist Emil Javier, who once served as president of the University of the Philippines.

Proclamation 781, which was signed by Duterte on August 2, recognizes Javier’s “outstanding contributions to the progress of science and technology in the Philippines and the world.”

"[Javier] led and promoted sound agricultural policies and programs, massive utilization of climate resilient and environment friendly agricultural innovations, and improved governance and management systems to help improve the livelihood of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk," the proclamation stated.

“[Javier], in the pursuit of his lifelong mission to look after the needs of the poor by capitalizing on the resources of modern science, played an active role in the efforts to inform the public about the nature of science and its potential to improve people’s access to food and health, and to emphasize the need for high safety standards in both research and production of biotechnological innovations.”

The 78-year-old scientist is known for spearheading the Institute of Plant Breeding which popularized high-yielding crops and disease -resistant varieties in the country and in Asia.

Javier earned his doctorate degree in plant breeding and genetics from Cornell University, his master’s degree in agriculture (major in agronomy) from the University of Illinois and bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the UP Los Baños.

He served as president of UP, the country’s premier university, from 1993 to 1999. He is a former president of the National Academy of Science and Technology, which recommends to the President the names of scientists for conferment of the rank and title of National Scientist.

Since 1978, the President of the Philippines has conferred the rank and title of National Scientist on 41 Filipinos, 17 of whom are still living.

Recipients of the National Scientist title receive a medallion, citation and financial gratuity.

They are also entitled to the same privileges enjoyed by National Artists, which include a monthly life pension, medical and hospitalization benefits and state funeral. — MDM, GMA News