WHEREAS, the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that it is a declared policy of the State to give priority to Science and Technology;

WHEREAS, Section 10, Article XIV of the Constitution also provides that science and technology are essential for national development and the State shall give priority to research, development, invention, innovation and their utilization;

WHEREAS, the rank and title of National Scientist was created under Presidential Decree No. 1003-A, dated December 16, 1976;

WHEREAS, preeminent achievements by Filipinos in science and technology that have
contributed to the progress of the country and humanity deserve the recognition and acknowledgement of our Government in pursuit of its policy of furthering national development through enhanced scientific and technological research and development;

WHEREAS, the work of Lourdes J. Cruz in the Chemical Sciences and expertise in marine toxinology is reflective of this preeminence, and of the national genius that contributes to science and technology and to the progress of the Philippines and the world;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the .powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, upon the recommendation of the National Academy of Science and Technology and the Department of Science and Technology, and pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1003-A, dated December 16, 1976, in relation to Section 33, Chapter 6, Title XVIII, Book IV of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as the "Administrative Code of 1987", do hereby accord to Academician Lourdes Jansuy Cruz Ph.D. the rank and title of National Scientist with the privileges and emoluments attached thereto.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 10th day of November in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Six.