DOST chief receives UPAA Lifetime Award

MANILA, Philippines — The University of the Philippines Alumni Association has conferred Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña the UPAA Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Award 2019.

Dela Pena, a BS Chemical Engineering graduate of UP Diliman in 1969, was one of the four recipients of the award for this year, during the UP General Alumni Homecoming at the UP Diliman Ang Bahay ng Alumni on Aug. 24.

In the citation, the UPAA said Dela Pena, as head of the DOST, was a “superb model of the dedicated Filipino scientist,” and “had focused on research and development work that can efficiently fulfill the needs of the ordinary citizen.”

“He leads in the grassroots development of science learning, agricultural productivity, Balik Scientist Program, innovation, (micro, small, and medium enterprises), disaster risk reduction and climate change, space program, weather forecasting and technology transfer,” the citation added.