Academician Gavino C. Trono, Jr. is National Scientist
- Details
Academician Gavino C. Trono, Jr.
Renowned for his outstanding contributions in the field of tropical marine phycology with focus on seaweed biodiversity, biology, ecology, and culture, Acd. Gavino C. Trono, Jr. was conferred the rank and title of National Scientist by virtue of Proclamation No. 737signed by President Benigno Aquino III on March 13, 2014.
He is credited for his extensive studies on the culture of Eucheuma denticulatum,Kappaphycus alvarezii, Gracilaria spp., Caulerpa lentillifera, and Halymenia durvillei, seaweed that benefited thousands amongthe coastal populations. He was the first to report the occurrence of “ice-ice” disease which has caused tremendous loss of biomass in seaweed farms. He published papers on the open water and pond cultures of Gracilaria, pond and lagoon culture of Caulerpa lentillifera and culture and management of stocks of Sargassum. He led a team in a field survey and assessment of coastal areas in Western Mindanao which identified sites in Sakol Island in Zamboanga and Tapaan Island in Siasi, Sulu where the commercial seaweed farms were established in 1972.
His dedication to science led to the successful implementation of 45 research projects, which resulted in the publication of 142 papers consisting of 20 ISI and 120 technical papers. He was also able to describe and publish 25 new species of marine benthic algae. His first major publications on the marine algae in the Northern Tropical and Western Pacific expanded and altered the knowledge on the geographical distribution of the benthic algae in Central and Western Pacific.
His dedication to science led to the successful implementation of 45 research projects, which resulted in the publication of 142 papers consisting of 20 ISI and 120 technical papers. He was also able to describe and publish 25 new species of marine benthic algae. His first major publications on the marine algae in the Northern Tropical and Western Pacific expanded and altered the knowledge on the geographical distribution of the benthic algae in Central and Western Pacific.
Transportation Infrastructure for National Development, Competitiveness, and Resiliency Discussed at NAST PHL RTD
- Details
The Roundtable Discussion (RTD) on Transportation Infrastructure for National Development, Competitiveness, and Resiliency was conducted by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) through its Engineering Sciences and Technology Division (ESTD), chaired by Academician Reynaldo B. Vea on March 6 at the Traders Hotel, Manila. The said RTD is in preparation for the 36th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM), which seeks to give advice in areas of infrastructure, information, and innovation, especially in the aspects of policy and governance.
National Scientist Mercedes B. Concepcion, NAST PHL Vice President emphasized in her welcome remarks the need for providing science-based solutions to problems and challenges affecting the transportation infrastructure in the country through the formulation of policy recommendations concerning best practices and impact assessment.
The invited experts were Engr. Felicisimo C. Pangilinan, Jr., deputy director for Planning of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Dr. Hussein S. Lidasan, professor at the School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, Dr. Jose Regin F. Regidor, director at the National Center for Transportation Studies, UP Diliman, and Dr. Francis Aldrine A. Uy, dean of the School of Civil Engineering and Environmental and Sanitary Engineering, Mapua Institute of Technology.
RTD on Mortality Data: Gaps and Inadequacies
- Details
The Social Sciences Division (SSD) of the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) conducted a Round Table Discussion (RTD) on Mortality Data: Gaps and Inadequacies last November 21, 2013 at the Hyatt Hotel Manila. The RTD was organized in consideration of the challenges posted in the generation and consolidation of data on mortality. Reliable data sets are important in the conduct of scientific research needed to benchmark public policies for the improvement of the provision and delivery of health and social services.
In the welcome remarks given by National Scientist Mercedes B. Concepcion, she stressed that the ability to have a complete civil registrationsystem and survey data sets will allow the monitoring of indicators of success in achieving the various Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This RTD also parallels other efforts being conducted by the SSD of NAST PHL to capacitate primary and secondary stakeholders to improve maternal health and to combat HIV-AIDS, Malaria and other diseases, which are goals of MDGs 4 and 6, respectively.
The first presentation entitled “The Dynamics of the Mortality, Population Growth and Economic Development in the Philippines” was given by Dr. Dennis S. Mapa, Associate Professor and Director for Research of the UP Diliman School of Statistics and Affiliate Associate Professor of the School of Economics. In his presentation, Dr. Mapa stressed that the relation and implication, not only of mortality data sets but, of mortalityper se to socioeconomic facets of society such as population and economic development were reiterated.Demographic Transition, which is characterized by a significant change from high fertility and mortality rates to low fertility and mortality rates, can be facilitated by progressive public policies through government interventions in health services, family planning and education. A stable population will allow room for a more competitive and productive working class yielding higher economic production, thus reducing poverty.An econometric model using regional and provincial data sets was also presented. The model showed causality effects between public efforts and investments on health, education and labor force participation and fertility and mortality rates. Using the model, it can be said that increasing public efforts and investment decreases both fertility and mortality rates and hence, achieving a stable population.