Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Mario G. Montejo received an unprecedented harvest of three congressional recognitions for outstanding acts and services by DOST, from no less than Speaker Feliciano Belmonte in a ceremony at the House of Representatives.
The congressional awards were embodied in three approved House Resolutions commending the Department. These are House Resolution No. 194, House Resolution No. 196, and House Resolution No. 201.
House Resolution No. 194 is a Resolution Commending the DOST for Winning the Prestigious Geospatial World Excellence in Policy Implementation Award for 2014, for its Disaster Risk and Exposure Assessment for Mitigation (DREAM) Program.
The Geospatial World Excellence in Policy Implementation Award is handed out by industry magazine Geospatial World Forum in recognition of exemplary innovations and practices in the global geospatial industry.
The Resolution stated that “the Geospatial World Excellence Award is a clear demonstration that the international community acknowledges our local capability-building efforts to attain self-sufficiency in natural hazard and disaster preparedness and risk management.”
The award was received by Montejo and DREAM Program Leader Dr. Enrico Paringit at the Geospatial World Forum Awards ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland on May 8, 2014.
On the other hand, House Resolution No. 196 is a Resolution Commending the Employees of the PAGASA Station in Tacloban City, Leyte for Loyalty to their Oath of Office and Dedication to Duty During the Onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda on November 8, 2013.
On said date, PAGASA employees working at the station in Tacloban City Airport steadfastly provided weather updates and observations despite the imminent threat of the super typhoon. Chief Meteorological Officer Mario Peñaranda, weather observers Romeo Elvina and Nilo Polinas were found injured among the ruins of the PAGASA station. Unfortunately, the body of weather observer Salvacion Avestruz continues to be missing.
Meanwhile, House Resolution No. 201 congratulates Montejo for being named as 2014 Most Distinguished Alumnus by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA).
The UPAA cited Montejo as a gifted and multi-awarded engineer and inventor who has a long list of technological innovations. These include a locally fabricated equipment for making water well screens, fabrication of steel poles for making gabions used by MERALCO, NPC and the National Electrification Administration, design of the first motorized zip line in the world, and the first locally developed robotic carpark located in Frontera Verde, Tiendesitas, Pasig City.
The UPAA likewise cited Montejo’s accomplishments in reshaping DOST’s policies and programs for national development in partnership with colleges, universities and other organizations to develop appropriate technologies, improve industry competitiveness, and enhance the delivery of social services.
On hand to witness the presentation of approved House Resolutions were the chairman and members of the House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology led by Rep. Victor J. Yu, DOST Asst. Sec. Raymund E. Liboro, PAGASA Deputy Administrator Dr. Landrico Dalida Jr., DOST and PAGASA employees. (S&T Media Service)
