# National Academy of Science and Technology

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. It also recommends individuals to be conferred the Order of National Scientist upon approval of the President of the Philippines.

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

## Functions

The Academy's functions are the following:
* Recognition: As the highest government recognition body, it recognizes and supports works of different Filipino scientist that promotes advancement of science and encourages the youth to pursue science related careers.
* Advisory: As an advisory body, it brings science closer to the people through awareness, promotes public participation on science issues and advises the government and non-government entities on science-related policies
* Scientific Linkages: NAST communicates with other scientists inside and outside the country to promote collaboration and exchange of works, knowledge, and participation.
* Management of the Philippine Science Heritage Center (PSHC): By virtue of Republic Act 9107, the NAST is mandated to manage the PSHC as a repository of all Philippine outstanding accomplishments in science and technology.

## 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. 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:
* Agricultural Sciences
* Biological Sciences
* Engineering Sciences and Technology
* Health Sciences
* Mathematical and Physical Sciences
* 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:
* Acd. Jaime C. Montoya, President and Chair, Health Sciences Division
* Acd. Alvin B. Culaba, Vice President and Chair, Engineering Sciences and Technology Division
* Acd. Jose Maria P. Balmaceda, Secretary and Chair, Mathematical and Physical Sciences Division
* Acd. Eufemio T. Rasco, Jr., Chair, Agricultural Sciences Division
* Acd. Windell L. Rivera, Chair, Biological Sciences Division
* National Scientist Raul V. Fabella, Chair, Social Sciences Division
* Acd. Arnel A. Salvador, Member
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.

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

### Honorary Member

| Year Elected | Name | Field 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. 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. 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.

### List of Annual Scientific Meetings

| Year | Edition | Theme |
| 2024 | 46th Annual Scientific Meeting | Beyond Farm Productivity: Transforming the Philippine food system to address equity, consumer health, and environmental issues |
| 2023 | 45th Annual Scientific Meeting | Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Demokrasya (Science and Technology for Democracy) |
| 2022 | 44th Annual Scientific Meeting | PAGTANAW 2050: Agham Tungo sa Mabuting Kinabukasan / FORESIGHT 2050: Science for a Sustainable Future |
| 2021 | 43rd Annual Scientific Meeting | COVID-19 Pandemic: Learning from the Past, Coping with the Present, Moving to the Next |
| 2020 | 42nd Annual Scientific Meeting | Science and Technology for Society: Solutions to Long-Standing Concerns |
| 2019 | 41st Annual Scientific Meeting | Caring for the Country's Carrying Capacity |
| 2018 | 40th Annual Scientific Meeting | Science and Technology-Enhanced Transformation for Sustainability and Resiliency (2018-2030) |
| 2017 | 39th Annual Scientific Meeting | Attaining Sustainable Development Goals: Philippine Fisheries and Other Aquatic Resources 2020 |
| 2016 | 38th Annual Scientific Meeting | Looking Back and Looking Forward |
| 2015 | 37th Annual Scientific Meeting | The Challenges of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Responding through Multisectoral Action |
| 2014 | 36th Annual Scientific Meeting | Infrastructure, Information, and Innovation (I3) for National Development, Competitiveness, and Resiliency |
| 2013 | 35th Annual Scientific Meeting | Harnessing Science and Technology: Reversing the Decline of the Manufacturing Sector in the Philippines |
| 2012 | 34th Annual Scientific Meeting | Philippine Water 2050 |
| 2011 | 33rd Annual Scientific Meeting | Meeting the Challenges of Agricultural Productivity |
| 2010 | 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting | MDGs & Beyond Are We Making Progress |
| 2009 | 31st Annual Scientific Meeting | Active Aging Preparing for Quality Life |
| 2008 | 30th Annual Scientific Meeting | Energy Security & Sustainability Assessing the Present & Foreseeing the Future |
| 2007 | 29th Annual Scientific Meeting | A Progressive Philippines Anchored on Science Building a Culture of Science in the Philippines |
| 2006 | 28th Annual Scientific Meeting | The Century of Biology |
| 2005 | 27th Annual Scientific Meeting | Philippine Agriculture 2020 |
| 2004 | 26th Annual Scientific Meeting | On Being & Becoming Where We Are & Where We Want To Be |
| 2003 | 25th Annual Scientific Meeting | Addressing the Demographic Crisis in the Philippines |
| 2002 | 24th Annual Scientific Meeting | Enhancing Philippine Science and Technology Thru ICT |
| 2001 | 23rd Annual Scientific Meeting | Science is the 21st Century |
| 2000 | 22nd Annual Scientific Meeting | Challenges in the New Millennium for Science and Technology |
| 1999 | 21st Annual Scientific Meeting | Food, Population and Environment |
| 1998 | 20th Annual Scientific Meeting | 4th National Social Science Congress |
| 1997 | 19th Annual Scientific Meeting | Science for Better Health |
| 1996 | 18th Annual Scientific Meeting | S&T for a more Dynamic Mindanao |
| 1995 | 17th Annual Scientific Meeting | Ethics and Politics of Public Service |
| 1994 | 16th Annual Scientific Meeting | Vision for Philippines 2000 |
| 1993 | 15th Annual Scientific Meeting | The Filipino: Issues and Processes in Social Transformation |
| 1992 | 14th Annual Scientific Meeting | Coping with Natural Disasters |
| 1991 | 13th Annual Scientific Meeting | Managing Ecosystems for Long:Term Human Survival |
| 1990 | 12th Annual Scientific Meeting | |
| 1989 | 11th Annual Scientific Meeting | |
| 1988 | 10th Annual Scientific Meeting | |
| 1987 | 9th Annual Scientific Meeting | |
| 1986 | 8th Annual Scientific Meeting | Organization and Development of the Sciences and the Scientific Community |
| 1985 | 6th Annual Scientific Meeting | |
| 1981 | 3rd 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.