Nebres named National Scientist

MANILA, Philippines -  President Aquino conferred the National Scientist award on Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ in ceremonies held at Malacañang yesterday.

The President highlighted Nebres’ contributions to education and social reforms.

“May Fr. Nebres serve as an example of integrity, hard work and service to all of us as we continue to dedicate ourselves to the development and improvement of those who need help the most,” Aquino said.

“Fr. Nebres has been a consistent advocate of educational reform, a leader who has pushed for the formulation and implementation of a long-term plan to improve our nation’s competitiveness in the natural sciences and mathematics,” he added.

Nebres has worked tirelessly to find effective ways of improving education in the public school system. His works include the establishment of the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED), an institution dedicated to developing public schools.

ACED assists local governments and over 400 public schools in Quezon City, Parañaque, Valenzuela, Nueva Ecija, La Union and other parts of the country.

Also present during the event were Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, National Academy of Science and Technology president Dr. Emil Javier, NAST secretary Dr. Evelyn Mendoza and other national scientists.

On Monday, the President handed the Apolinario Mabini Presidential Award to Sister Ma. Paula Valeriana Baerts, a Belgian nun belonging to the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and founder of Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, a non-government organization that aims to uplift the lives of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Baerts received the presidential award for her 54 years of serving PWDs.

Other awardees include Lauro Purcil, Special Mabini Presidential Award for PWD Rights-Based Advocacy; Capt. Oscar Taleon, Special Mabini Presidential Award for Leadership in PWD Sector Unification; David Casper Nathan Sergio, Disabled Filipino of the Year, and Access Unlimited/Radyo ng Bayan, Special Award for Producing a Radio Program on PWD Personalities and Issues, among others.

Individuals and groups from the private sector and government were also awarded for their contributions in advancing the welfare of PWDs.

The Apolinario Mabini Awards was launched in 1974 to give recognition to individuals with disabilities, professionals and various groups that had rendered outstanding services to PWDs.

The award was named after the country’s hero, Apolinario Mabini, also known as the “sublime paralytic” whose disability did not become a hindrance to his creative genius that provided inspiration to the Philippine revolution.

The event was organized by the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Inc. and Ambassador Cristina Ponce-Enrile, chair of the 2011 Apolinario Mabini Awards Committee.