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. | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Solidum in 2022 | |
| 9th Secretary of Science and Technology[1] | |
| Assumed office August 13, 2022[a] | |
| President | Bongbong Marcos |
| Preceded by | Fortunato de la Peña |
| Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services | |
| In office 2019–2022 | |
| President | Rodrigo Duterte Bongbong Marcos |
| Succeeded by | Usec. Maridon O. Sagahun |
| Undersecretary for Disaster Risk Reduction Climate Change Adaptation | |
| In office 2017–2019 | |
| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Director of PHIVOLCS Officer in charge[b] | |
| In office 2003–2022 | |
| President | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Benigno Aquino III Rodrigo Duterte Bongbong Marcos |
| Preceded by | Raymundo Punongbayan |
| Succeeded by | Dir. Teresito C. Bacolcol |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Renato Umali Solidum Jr. |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines (B.S.) University of Illinois Chicago (M.S.) University of California, San Diego (Ph.D) |
| Occupation | Geologist |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Geology |
| Institutions | Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology |
Early life and education
editSolidum 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
editSolidum 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
editSolidum is married and has three children.[5]
Notes
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ Officer in charge since 2017.
References
edit- ^ Gozum, Iya (August 13, 2022). "After 38 years in service, Renato Solidum Jr. takes the helm of DOST". Rappler. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
- ^ Gita-Carlos, Ruth Abbey (August 12, 2022). "Solidum appointed DOST secretary". Philippine News Agency.
- ^ a b c Goyum, Iya (August 13, 2022). "After 38 years in service, Renato Solidum Jr. takes the helm of DOST". Rappler. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b c d Maralit, Kristina (August 13, 2022). "Phivolcs head Renato Solidum named interim DoST chief". The Manila Times. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
- ^ a b Corrales, Nestor (August 13, 2022). "Solidum named science secretary". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
- ^ a b Ragasa, Faith Yuen Wei (August 12, 2022). "Marcos appoints Phivolcs director Renato Solidum Jr. as DOST chief". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.