A plant pathologist and nematologist from Argao town in southern Cebu Province becomes the 44th Filipino to be conferred to the Order of National Scientists.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. conferred Dr. Romulo Gelbolingo Davide to the Order of National Scientists by virtue of Proclamation No. 643, Series of 2024.
Dr. Davide becomes the 44th Filipino to be honored with the prestigious award, joining an esteemed group of individuals who have a significant impact to scientific research and knowledge in the Philippines, according to a statement issued by the Department of Science and Technology-National Academy of Science and Technology (DOST-NAST).
National Scientist Romulo G. Davide is recognized for his groundbreaking and substantial contributions to the agricultural sciences, particularly in plant pathology (scientific study on plant diseases and attempts to improve the chances for survival of plants) and nematology (scientific discipline concerned with the study of nematodes or roundworms).
His dedication is exemplified by his work on epidemiology, host range, life cycle, taxonomy, and management of plant-parasitic nematodes.
Dr. Davide’s development of the Farmer-Scientist Training Program (FSTP) has recorded positive impact to the lives of 70,000 Filipino farmers.
Through his steadfast mentorship and commitment as a professor, his students and mentees now lead the field of plant pathology and nematology, earning him the title “Father of Philippine Nematology.”
Dr. Davide obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture - Plant Pathology from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 1957.
He earned his Master’s degree in Plant Pathology from Oklahoma State University in 1962.
He completed his Doctorate degree in Nematology-Plant Pathology from the North Carolina State University in 1965.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Dr. Davide was elected to the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) in 2002, further cementing his status as a distinguished figure within the scientific community.
The Order of National Scientist Award (Orden ng Gawad ng Pambansang Alagad ng Agham) is the highest national recognition given to a man or woman of science in the Philippines, administered by NAST PHL, and conferred by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Academy.
Dr. Davide was born in 1934 as the fifth of seven children to Hilario Davide, Sr. and Josefa Gelbolingo, both public school teachers of Colawin, Argao, an agricultural area around 75 kilometers away from Cebu City.
Dr. Davide is the elder brother of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr. and an uncle of incumbent Cebu Province Vice Governor Hilario P. Davide III.
To recall further, Dr. Davide is the lone Filipino awardee at the 2012 Ramon Magsaysay Awards.
In a GMA Integrated News report dated September 3, 2012, Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation cited Davide’s innovation, BIOCON.
It is the first Philippine pesticide that can be used against roundworms or nematodes infesting crops. BIOCON is also considered as a “practical substitute for highly toxic and expensive nematicides," the report added.
