Renato Solidum Jr.

Renato Umali Solidum Jr. is a Filipino geologist and government official. Solidum has been Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) since August 13, 2022.[2][3] Before his appointment as Secretary, Solidum served as an Undersecretary for Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Change Adaptation at DOST and as the Officer-in-Charge of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

Renato Solidum Jr.
Solidum in 2022
9th Secretary of Science and Technology[1]
Assumed office
August 13, 2022[lower-alpha 1]
PresidentBongbong Marcos
Preceded byFortunato de la Peña
Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services
In office
2019–2022
PresidentRodrigo Duterte
Bongbong Marcos
Succeeded byUsec. Maridon O. Sagahun
Undersecretary for Disaster Risk Reduction Climate Change Adaptation
In office
2017–2019
PresidentRodrigo Duterte
Director of PHIVOLCS
Officer in charge[lower-alpha 2]
In office
2003–2022
PresidentGloria Macapagal Arroyo
Benigno Aquino III
Rodrigo Duterte
Bongbong Marcos
Preceded byRaymundo Punongbayan
Succeeded byUsec. Teresito C. Bacolcol
Personal details
Born
Renato Umali Solidum Jr.
NationalityFilipino
Alma materUniversity of the Philippines (B.S.)
University of Illinois Chicago (M.S.)
University of California, San Diego (Ph.D)
OccupationGeologist
Scientific career
FieldsGeology
InstitutionsPhilippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology

Early life and education

Solidum is from the town of Odiongan in Romblon province,[3] where he attended high school.[4]

Originally, Solidum wanted to be a civil engineer and took the entrance examination for University of the Philippines, though he passed the exam, he was ineligible to enroll in an engineering course as it only accepted a limited number of students each year. Instead, he enrolled in geology with the intention of later switching to the engineering. However, he decided against this and earned a bachelor's degree in geology.[4]

He also studied in the United States at the University of Illinois Chicago, where he obtained a master's degree in geological sciences. Then he earned a PhD in earth sciences at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego.[5]

Career

Solidum has been part of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) since it split off from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in 1984.[6] He was hired shortly after graduating from the University of the Philippines, with the endorsement of then-director Raymundo Punongbayan.[4]

He first received international attention in 1991 when PHIVOLCS director Punongbayan tasked him to work with the United States Geological Service gathering data at the then restive Mount Pinatubo. The findings of the team led to Punongbayan to raise an evacuation alert in the area prior to a major volcanic eruption saving thousands of lives in Central Luzon.[6]

From 2003 to 2017 he served in PHIVOLCS as its director and then Officer-in-Charge from March 2017.[7] He was also appointed as Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary for Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Change Adaptation (DRR-CCA).[5] In 2019, he became undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services.[3]

Solidum was appointed as ad interim DOST Secretary by President Bongbong Marcos on July 22, 2022.[5]

In recognition of his contributions to disaster risk reduction in the Philippines, Solidum has received numerous awards, including:[7]

  • Presidential Lingkod Bayan (Civil Servant) Award
  • Presidential Citation for Public Service
  • Professional of the Year in the field of Geology by the Professional Regulation Commission
  • Excellence Award for Government Service by the Philippine Federation of Professional Associations

Personal life

Solidum is married and has three children.[5]

Notes
  1. Served as Officer in Charge of the DOST from June 30, 2022 to July 22, 2022 and as interim secretary of the DOST from July 22, 2022 to August 13, 2022.
  2. Officer in charge since 2017.

References
  1. Gozum, Iya (August 13, 2022). "After 38 years in service, Renato Solidum Jr. takes the helm of DOST". Rappler. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  2. Gita-Carlos, Ruth Abbey (August 12, 2022). "Solidum appointed DOST secretary".
  3. Goyum, Iya (August 13, 2022). "After 38 years in service, Renato Solidum Jr. takes the helm of DOST". Rappler. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  4. Barawid, Rachel; Garcia, Angelo G.; Lim, Ronald S.; Mendoza, Alfredo V (April 9, 2011). "Phivolcs director Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr.: Ain't no earthquake strong enough". Manila Bulletin (in English and Filipino). Archived from the original on April 24, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  5. Maralit, Kristina (August 13, 2022). "Phivolcs head Renato Solidum named interim DoST chief". The Manila Times. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  6. Corrales, Nestor (August 13, 2022). "Solidum named science secretary". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  7. Ragasa, Faith Yuen Wei (August 12, 2022). "Marcos appoints Phivolcs director Renato Solidum Jr. as DOST chief". CNN Philippines. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.