WHEREAS, the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines 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 that the State shall give priority to research and development, invention, innovation and their utilization;

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

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

WHEREAS, the work of Edgardo D. Gomez, Ph.D., in the field of Marine Biology, is reflective of this pre-eminence and his commitment to international conservation initiatives, by spearheading the world ™s first national-scale assessment of damage to coral reefs and his strategic efforts towards the establishment of the Marine Science Institute (MSI) at the University of the Philippines, are outstanding contributions to the progress of science and technology in the Philippines and the world.

NOW THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO, III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, and upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Science and Technology and the National Academy of Science and Technology, pursuant to PD No. 1003-A, in relation to Section 33, Chapter 6. Title XVIII, Book IV of Executive Order (EO) No. 292 (s. 1987), otherwise known as the œAdministrative Code of 1987? and EO No. 236 (s. 2003), otherwise known as the œHonors Code of the Philippines,  do hereby accord to Edgardo D. Gomez, 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 8th of day of August, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Fourteen.

(SGD.)  BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By the President:

(SGD.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA JR.
Executive Secretary