Mr. President, distinguished colleagues,
Today is a special day for us as this Chamber commends and honors a Filipino female National Scientist for her work and contributions to the medical field, especially in pioneering research which has helped us, legislators, in crafting important pieces of health-related legislation and advancing our country’s medical research.
It is a matter of national pride, honor, and prestige as Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla has been conferred the Order of National Scientist Award (Orden ng Gawad ng Pambansang Alagad ng Agham), the highest national recognition given to a man or woman of science in our country. The award was conferred to Dr. Padilla last August 31, 2023 by President Marcos in Malacañang.
Cited internationally for her work as a clinical geneticist, Dr. Padilla was recognized for her exceptional contribution for the enactment of Republic Act No. 9288 or the Newborn Screening Act of 2004 and R.A. No. 10747 or the Rare Disease Act of 2016.
Dr. Padilla is the 43rd National Scientist, 10th from the University of the Philippines-Manila, and 3rd UP Manila chancellor who became national scientist. She is the first National Scientist with expertise in the field of medical genetics and the only living female National Scientist in the health sciences.
Her most recent contribution is the setting up of the Philippine Genome Center, in which she had been its executive director from 2011 to 2016. The center has been instrumental in genome sequencing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is timely that we honor a female national scientist whose contributions are immeasurable in the medical and health field, in time for the observance of the National Women’s month.
Thank you, Mr. President.