President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. conferred Thursday the Order of National Scientist on Dr. Carmencita Padilla and the Presidential Medal of Merit on Trade Assistant Secretary Allan Gepty in a ceremony at Malacañan Palace in Manila.
During the conferment rites, Mr. Marcos thanked Padilla and Gepty for their outstanding service to the country and to the Filipino people.
“Both Dr. Padilla and Asec. 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,” President Marcos said.
Awarded by virtue of Presidential Decree 1003-A, the Order of National Scientist is the highest title conferred by the Philippine president on a Filipino with outstanding achievements in science and technology.
A clinical geneticist, Padilla has been cited for her pioneering work on newborn screening and the establishment of the Philippine Genome Center (PGC).
Padilla’s notable studies on national programs for newborn screening provided the basis for the enactment of Republic Act (RA) 9288 or the Newborn Screening Act of 2004.
The Presidential Medal of Merit is one of the highest awards given by the Philippine president to individuals for their meritorious achievements and services.
Gepty currently serves under the Department of Trade and Investment’s Industry Development and Trade Policy Group, which is responsible for investment promotion in activities critical to the agency’s trade and industry development program.
He played a crucial role in the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), considered as the largest free trade deal in the world.
Mr. Marcos commended Gepty who served as the country’s lead trade negotiator in the RCEP for his contribution to the eventual ratification of the free trade pact which is projected to open opportunities to Filipinos and Philippine companies.