A total purse of P175,000 is allotted for the cash prizes. The top three prizes are P50,000 for first prize; P30,000 for second and P20,000 for the third prize winner, plus plaques and P15,000 each for the five runners-ups.
Vying for the major prizes which carry plaques and cash incentives are articles published in the national dailies, community newspapers, magazines, health publications and others.
This year’s board of judges is chaired by Alejandro del Rosario, PPI trustee, and members are Dr. Gelia Castillo, consultant at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI); Dr. William Padolina, former agrarian reform secretary and now director for extension at the IRRI; Prof. Paz Diaz of the University of the Philippines (Diliman) College of Mass Communication; and Prof. Gary Mariano of De La Salle University, Manila Communications Arts Development.
This prestigious award project was launched in 1991 to promote awareness of science and technology as a key driver for growth and progress and to highlight the role of media in disseminating scientific and technological developments and changes.