The Order of National Scientists of the Philippines (

Tagalog Tagalog may refer to: Language * Tagalog language, a language spoken in the Philippines ** Old Tagalog, an archaic form of the language ** Batangas Tagalog, a dialect of the language * Tagalog script, the writing system historically used for Tagal ...

: ''Orden ng mga Pambansang Alagad ng Agham ng Pilipinas''), abbreviated as ONS, is the highest

award An award, sometimes called a distinction, is given to a recipient as a token of recognition of excellence in a certain field. When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as a decoration. An award may be d ...

accorded to Filipino

scientist A scientist is a person who Scientific method, researches to advance knowledge in an Branches of science, area of the natural sciences. In classical antiquity, there was no real ancient analog of a modern scientist. Instead, philosophers engag ...

s by the

Philippine government The government of the Philippines () has three interdependent branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The Philippines is governed as a unitary state under a presidential representative and democratic constitutional repub ...

. Members of the order are known as National Scientists. The

was created on December 16, 1976, by President

Ferdinand Marcos Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr. (September 11, 1917 – September 28, 1989) was a Filipino lawyer, politician, dictator, and Kleptocracy, kleptocrat who served as the tenth president of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He ruled the c ...

through

Presidential Decree A decree is a legal proclamation, usually issued by a head of state, judge, royal figure, or other relevant authorities, according to certain procedures. These procedures are usually defined by the constitution, Legislative laws, or customary l ...

Nos. 1003 and 1003-A, which also created the

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 (Philippines), Department of Science and Techn ...

. For the purposes of the law, a ''scientist'' is defined as "''an individual who has earned a doctoral degree in any field of the sciences''" and "''has demonstrated and earned distinction in independent research or significant innovative achievement in the basic and applied sciences, including agricultural, engineering, and medical sciences, in mathematics and in the social sciences as manifested by published works in recognized scientific and technical journals''." It was elevated to the status of

order Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * A socio-political or established or existing order, e.g. World order, Ancien Regime, Pax Britannica * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood ...

in 2003.

Nomination and selection

It is the task of the

which is composed of Filipino scientists to recommend not more than 10 scientists annually to the President of the Philippines for conferment of the rank of ''National Scientist''. It is the

President of the Philippines The president of the Philippines (, sometimes referred to as ) is the head of state, head of government and chief executive of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-ch ...

who makes the ultimate selection, which is based on "''distinguished individual or collaborative achievement in science and technology''."Section 8, Pres. Decree No. 1003-A

Benefits

Award An award, sometimes called a distinction, is given to a recipient as a token of recognition of excellence in a certain field. When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as a decoration. An award may be d ...

ees are conferred the rank and title of National Scientist, with an accompanying medallion and citation. They are also given a financial gratuity with the amount determined by the National Academy. In addition, they are entitled to the same privileges enjoyed by

National Artists of the Philippines The Order of National Artists of the Philippines (Tagalog language, Tagalog: ''Orden ng mga Pambansang Alagad ng Sining ng Pilipinas'') is an Order (distinction), order bestowed by the President of the Philippines on Philippine nationality law, ...

, which include a monthly life pension, medical and hospitalization benefits, and a place of

honor Honour ( Commonwealth English) or honor (American English; see spelling differences) is a quality of a person that is of both social teaching and personal ethos, that manifests itself as a code of conduct, and has various elements such as val ...

, in line with protocular precedence, at national state functions. They are likewise by law entitled upon death to a

state funeral A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony, observing the strict rules of protocol, held to honour people of national significance. State funerals usually include much pomp and ceremony as well as religious overtones and distinctive elements o ...

conducted by the National Academy and the

Armed Forces of the Philippines The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) () are the military forces of the Philippines. It consists of three main service branches; the Philippine Army, Army, the Philippine Air Force, Air Force, and the Philippine Navy, Navy (including the P ...

, befitting their recognized status as heroes of the Philippines.First Whereas Clause, Executive Order No. 131 (26 October 1993)

Roster of National Scientists

Since 1978, there have been 44 men and women have been designated as National Scientist in the roster where 11 of them are currently living. The most recent conferment was made to honor

Romulo Davide Romulo Gelbolingo Davide (born March 14, 1934, in Argao, Cebu) is a Filipino philanthropist, scientist and farmers' advocate who is a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2012. Personal life He is the older brother of Chief Justice Hila ...

. Honorees such as the

Ramon Magsaysay Award The Ramon Magsaysay Award (Filipino language, Filipino: ''Gawad Ramon Magsaysay'') is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in governance, courageous service to the people, ...

recipient

pediatrician Pediatrics (American English) also spelled paediatrics (British English), is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. In the United Kingdom, pediatrics covers many of their youth ...

Fe del Mundo Fe Villanueva del Mundo, , (born Fé Primitiva del Mundo y Villanueva; 27 November 1911 – 6 August 2011) was a Filipino pediatrician. She founded the first pediatric hospital in the Philippines and is known for shaping the modern child healt ...

, have garnered international recognition as well. As of August 2024, the National Scientists of the Philippines are: ;Notes

References

Bibliography

External links