Marcos fetes new national scientist, trade negotiator  

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday pushed for a program that would boost research and development as he conferred the Order of National Scientist on a world-renowned clinical geneticist, and the Presidential Medal of Merit on the country’s chief trade negotiator in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

National Scientist Carmencita Padilla was cited for her pioneering work on newborn screening and the establishment of the Philippine Genome Center.

The Order of National Scientist Award is the highest national recognition given to a person of science in the Philippines.

It is administered by the National Academy of Science and Technology and conferred by the President upon the recommendation of the academy.
The Presidential Medal of Merit, meanwhile, was given to Trade Assistant Secretary for industry development and trade policy Allan Gepty, the country’s lead trade negotiator in the RCEP, considered as the largest free trade deal in the world.

The medal is one of the highest awards given by a Philippine president to persons in recognition of their contribution to nation-building.
Speaking during the awarding ceremony at Malacañang, Marcos said that attention should be given to research and development as it is important not just in health care, but also in the economy and society in general.

Marcos said research and development would give the country the capability to face new and existing problems, including illnesses like diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis and HIV.

“Even if the risks posed by COVID have been reduced, we need to understand and give solutions to common health issues that the entire Philippines faces,” Marcos said.

“And that’s why I have asked all of those who are involved that we need to now be conscientious and put together a program, wherein we can support in whatever way that the government can on research and development, and as I think all of us know that some of the problems are in the development side,” he added.

Marcos cited the need to talk about methods that would bring new knowledge and new technologies to the market as quickly as possible and ensure that these are accessible to Filipinos.

He said the government could work with the private sector in supporting research and development as some research programs can be quite costly and can go on for a long time.

“And the government will do its part. But I think we will multiply our efforts, there will be a multiplier effect if we include all the sectors of government and also our private sector partners. This is what we are planning to do today – this is what we are planning to do for the future,” he said.

Marcos said he has asked Padilla and agencies such as the trade, science and health departments to put together a program to support research and development activities, and to bring technology to the general population.

Citing a conversation with Padilla, Marcos said he was surprised to learn that there are specific characteristics to the Filipino and Asian genome.

Trade opportunities

Marcos also recognized the accomplishments of Gepty, describing him as an “invaluable force” in the negotiations and the eventual ratification of RCEP, which has placed the Philippines into the world’s largest trade bloc.

He said the deal should open opportunities for Filipinos and local companies to export trade and services to a market exceeding two billion people.

“Under the RCEP, the Philippines will be able to source raw materials and intermediate goods from fellow RCEP countries, process products locally, and then export those products back out to other RCEP countries at a preferential rate,” Marcos said.

“Our participation in RCEP will strengthen our linkages in regional supply chains and serve as a catalyst for attracting more foreign direct investments into the country,” he added.

The RCEP will link member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam the Philippines with their trade partners Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.

The deal covers trade in goods and services, investment, economic and technical cooperation, intellectual property, competition, dispute settlement, e-commerce, small and medium enterprises and other topics.

The trade deal came into force in the Philippines in June this year. Aside from being a trade assistant Gepty is also the country’s senior economic official at the ASEAN.

He was a commissioner of the Philippine Tariff Commission and deputy director general of the Intellectual Property Office.

Gepty is a member of the Supreme Court sub-committee for the revision of the rules of procedure for intellectual property rights cases.

Marcos thanked Padilla and Gepty for their services to the country and expressed hope that they would continue to be “shining examples” to their fellow workers in government.

“Both Padilla and Gepty exemplify what it means to be a public servant and these awards are our form of recognition and a testament to that service. Their service goes above and beyond typical duties and responsibilities and their achievements have created and will continue to create a positive and lasting impact,” he said.