National Academy of Science and Technology

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National Academy of Science and Technology
Formation1976
TypeGovernment Advisory Body
Headquarters3/F Science Heritage Center Bldg., DOST Complex, Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig
Location
Official language
English
President
Acd. Jaime C. Montoya
Executive Director
Luningning E. Samarita-Domingo
Budget₱150.927 million (2025) [1]
Staff17 (2024) [2]
Website https://www.nast.dost.gov.ph/

The National Academy of Science and Technology (abbreviated as NAST PHL) is the highest recognition and scientific advisory body of the Philippines under the Department of Science and Technology. It was created through Presidential Decree 1003-A issued by President Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1976 to honor and recognize Filipino scientists who made worthy contributions in the advancement of science and technology in the country. [3] It also recommends individuals to be conferred the Order of National Scientist upon approval of the President of the Philippines. [4]

Contents

History

The establishment of the National Academy of Science and Technology was a proposal of several professors from the University of the Philippines. It was endorsed by the National Science Development Board (now Department of Science and Technology) to the President of the Philippines. NAST was created through Presidential Decree 1003-A issued by President Ferdinand E. Marcos on October 6, 1976. [5] In 1978, President Marcos named the first ten members of the academy from members of the scientific community with three of them proclaimed as National Scientist, namely: Juan S. Salcedo Jr., Alfredo C. Santos and Gregorio Y. Zara. Through Executive Order 818 in 1982, the academy was tasked to give recommendations to the President of the Republic of the Philippines and the Cabinet on policies concerning science and technology in the country.

Mandates

The National Academy of Science and Technology is mandated:

  1. To recognize outstanding achievements in science and technology as well as provide meaningful incentives to those engaged in scientific and technological researches
  2. To advise the President and the Cabinet on matters related to science and technology
  3. To engage in projects and programs designed to recognize outstanding achievements in science and to promote scientific productivity
  4. To embark on programs traditionally and internationally expected of an academy of science
  5. To manage, operate and maintain the Philippine Science Heritage Center

Functions

The Academy's functions are the following: [6]

Organization and Membership

Members of the National Academy of Science and Technology are nominated by members of the scientific community. Current NAST members deliberate on the membership of an individual, following strict rules and regulations. [5] Once admitted to the organization, members are called Academicians (abbreviated as Acd.). The academy is divided into several divisions to which an Academician is a member depending on his area of expertise. The divisions are the following:

  1. Agricultural Sciences
  2. Biological Sciences
  3. Engineering Sciences and Technology
  4. Health Sciences
  5. Mathematical and Physical Sciences
  6. Social Sciences

From each division of the academy, a chair is elected to form the Executive Council. A president, vice-president, and secretary are elected from the Executive Council. The secretariat of NAST is headed by a director and implements the decisions of the Executive Council, and attends to the day-to-day affairs of the Academy. Currently, the NAST Executive Council is composed of: [7]

A Director heads the NAST Secretariat, which implements decisions of the Executive Council and attends day-to-day affairs of the Academy. The Secretariat is composed of two divisions, namely: Technical Services Division and Finance Administrative Division.

Academicians

Members of the NAST are called Academicians. As of 2024, there are 71 living Academicians. [8]

National Scientist

All National Scientists are members of the NAST. As of August 2024, there are 11 living National Scientists.

Corresponding Members

Corresponding membership is conferred on non-resident Filipino scientists who have made exemplary contributions to the advancement of science and technology and must have continuing connections and contributions to Philippine science. They should regularly come to the Philippines to practice their field of expertise. Filipino citizenship and residency are waived as long as the three qualifications are met. [9]

Year ElectedNameField of Specialization
2003Jose B. Cruz, Ph.D.Electrical Engineering
Amador C. Muriel, Ph.D.Physics
Eduardo A. Padlan, Ph.D.Biophysics
2004 Baldomero M. Olivera, Ph.D.Biochemistry
2006Reynaldo L. Villareal, Ph.D.Plant Breeding/Plant Pathology
2007Liwayway M. Engle, Ph.D.Genetics
2009Manuel M. Garcia, Ph.D.Microbiology
2010Kelvin S. Rodolfo, Ph.D. (resigned)Marine Geology
2011Eduardo R. Mendoza, Ph.D.Mathematics
2012Alfonso H. Albano, Ph.D.Physics
2016Josefino Comiso, Ph.D.Physics
Joel Cuello, Ph.D.Engineering
2018Rigoberto Advincula, Ph.D.Physics
2019 Michael Purugganan, Ph.D.Biology
Romel Gomez, Ph.D.Engineering
2020Annabelle Villalobos, Ph.D.Chemistry
Serafica Gonzalo, Ph.D.Chemicial Engineering
Ramon Gustillo, M.D.Orthopedics
Francis De Los Reyes III, Ph.D.Environmental Engineering
2023Leodevico Ilag, Ph.D.Microbiology and Immunology
2024Homer D. Pantua, Ph.D.Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine

Honorary Member

Year ElectedNameField of Specialization
2000 Norman E. Borlaug, Ph.D.
1970 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate		Agronomy/Plant Breeding

Annual Scientific Meeting

The academy has conducted a scientific meeting every July since 1978. [5] It gathers scientists from all over the country to discuss relevant issues related to science and technology and thus it has earned the distinction of the most prestigious Philippine scientific conference. [10] At the end of the convention, NAST honors exemplary scientists from different fields and presents recommendations to the government through the secretary of the Department of Science and Technology.

46th Annual Scientific Meeting

The 2024 edition of the Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) encapsulates the collective pursuit of sustainable agricultural food systems, diving deep into the interconnected domains of agriculture, health systems, and the environment. Building on the success of the previous scientific meetings, the discussion will revolve around great scientific innovations to transcend conventional food systems to a more holistic approach exploring out-of-the-box solutions along with modern technology and appropriate policies paving the way for an equitable, sustainable food future. The event will offer actionable insights into the many disruptions that have slowed the rate by which agriculture acts as the engine for economic development in the Philippines. [11]

List of Annual Scientific Meetings

Year [12] EditionTheme
202446th Annual Scientific MeetingBeyond Farm Productivity: Transforming the Philippine food system to address equity, consumer health, and environmental issues
202345th Annual Scientific MeetingAgham at Teknolohiya para sa Demokrasya (Science and Technology for Democracy)
202244th Annual Scientific MeetingPAGTANAW 2050: Agham Tungo sa Mabuting Kinabukasan / FORESIGHT 2050: Science for a Sustainable Future
202143rd Annual Scientific MeetingCOVID-19 Pandemic: Learning from the Past, Coping with the Present, Moving to the Next
202042nd Annual Scientific MeetingScience and Technology for Society: Solutions to Long-Standing Concerns
201941st Annual Scientific MeetingCaring for the Country's Carrying Capacity
201840th Annual Scientific MeetingScience and Technology-Enhanced Transformation for Sustainability and Resiliency (2018-2030)
201739th Annual Scientific MeetingAttaining Sustainable Development Goals: Philippine Fisheries and Other Aquatic Resources 2020
201638th Annual Scientific MeetingLooking Back and Looking Forward
201537th Annual Scientific MeetingThe Challenges of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Responding through Multisectoral Action
201436th Annual Scientific Meeting [13] Infrastructure, Information, and Innovation (I3) for National Development, Competitiveness, and Resiliency
201335th Annual Scientific MeetingHarnessing Science and Technology: Reversing the Decline of the Manufacturing Sector in the Philippines
201234th Annual Scientific MeetingPhilippine Water 2050
201133rd Annual Scientific MeetingMeeting the Challenges of Agricultural Productivity
201032nd Annual Scientific MeetingMDGs & Beyond Are We Making Progress
200931st Annual Scientific MeetingActive Aging Preparing for Quality Life
200830th Annual Scientific MeetingEnergy Security & Sustainability Assessing the Present & Foreseeing the Future
200729th Annual Scientific MeetingA Progressive Philippines Anchored on Science Building a Culture of Science in the Philippines
200628th Annual Scientific MeetingThe Century of Biology
200527th Annual Scientific MeetingPhilippine Agriculture 2020
200426th Annual Scientific MeetingOn Being & Becoming Where We Are & Where We Want To Be
200325th Annual Scientific MeetingAddressing the Demographic Crisis in the Philippines
200224th Annual Scientific MeetingEnhancing Philippine Science and Technology Thru ICT
200123rd Annual Scientific MeetingScience is the 21st Century
200022nd Annual Scientific MeetingChallenges in the New Millennium for Science and Technology
199921st Annual Scientific MeetingFood, Population and Environment
199820th Annual Scientific Meeting4th National Social Science Congress
199719th Annual Scientific MeetingScience for Better Health
199618th Annual Scientific MeetingS&T for a more Dynamic Mindanao
199517th Annual Scientific MeetingEthics and Politics of Public Service
199416th Annual Scientific MeetingVision for Philippines 2000
199315th Annual Scientific MeetingThe Filipino: Issues and Processes in Social Transformation
199214th Annual Scientific MeetingCoping with Natural Disasters
199113th Annual Scientific MeetingManaging Ecosystems for Long:Term Human Survival
199012th Annual Scientific Meeting
198911th Annual Scientific Meeting
198810th Annual Scientific Meeting
19879th Annual Scientific Meeting
19868th Annual Scientific MeetingOrganization and Development of the Sciences and the Scientific Community
19856th Annual Scientific Meeting
19813rd Annual Scientific Meeting

Awards

NAST also recognizes worthy contributions of Filipino scientists in the advancement of science and technology in the country during its Annual Scientific Meeting. It includes the following recognitions: Outstanding Young Scientists (OYS), The World Academy of Sciences for Developing Countries (TWAS) Prize for Young Scientists in the Philippines, NAST Talent Search for Young Scientists, NAST Environmental Science Award, NAST-LELEDFI Award for Outstanding Research in Tropical Medicine, Outstanding Scientific Papers, Outstanding Books and Outstanding Monographs.

Publications

As a promoter of science and technology, NAST also publishes books and monographs based on studies of present academicians, members of the scientific community and world-renowned scientists. Conference proceedings of their annual scientific meeting is published as the NAST Transactions.

In 2021, the NAST published PAGTANAW 2050: The Philippine Science, Technology, and Innovation Foresight. [14] it outlines a 30-year vision to guide the country’s STI agenda toward inclusive growth, sustainability, and national competitiveness by 2050. Rooted in the archipelagic and maritime character of the Philippines, PAGTANAW 2050 synthesizes global megatrends—such as climate change, pandemics, and digital transformation—with national priorities drawn from the 1987 Constitution, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), AmBisyon Natin 2040, and various Philippine development plans. Covering 12 key areas, including the Blue Economy, Governance, Education, and Space Exploration, the foresight identifies critical drivers of change and proposes long-term strategies that transcend political cycles. It serves as a unifying framework for policymakers, scientists, and stakeholders to build a future-ready, innovation-driven nation.

References

  1. ↑ dbm.gov.ph https://www.dbm.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/GAA/GAA2025/VolumeIB/DOST/G.pdf . Retrieved January 3, 2025.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ Department of Budget and Management. "Staffing Summary Fiscal Year 2024" (PDF). Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  3. ↑ Rabago, Lilia; Intong, Mona Lisa; Ferrer, Diana; Joaquin, Cresencia (1989). Science and Technology 1: General Science. Quezon City: Vibal Publishing House, Inc. p. 15. ISBN   971-07-0860-0.
  4. ↑ Sabillo, Kristine Angeli (August 12, 2014). "Who are the 4 new National Scientists of PH?". Inquirer.net. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 "NAST 2013 35th Scientific Meeting Conference Proceedings" (PDF). October 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 24, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Functions of the National Academy of Science and Technology". National Academy of Science and Technology. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Organization". nast.ph. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Order of the National Scientist". members.nast.ph. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  9. ↑ "NAST Members". members.nast.ph. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  10. ↑ Padolina, William (2013). "Message of the NAST President" (PDF). NAST 2013 35th Scientific Meeting Conference Proceedings.
  11. ↑ "NAST PHL to conduct the 46th Annual Scientific Meeting with a Focus on Equity, Consumer Health, and Environmental Issues". nast.dost.gov.ph. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Annual Scientific Meetings". January 7, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  13. ↑ "36th Annual Scientific Meeting". July 30, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  14. ↑ "PAGTANAW 2050". nast.dost.gov.ph. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
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