Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) officer-in-charge (OIC) Renato Solidum Jr. has been named as Department of Science and Technology undersecretary for scientific and technological services, according to DOST secretary Fortunato dela Pena on Friday, Oct. 19.
“He will oversee service institutes, such as PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), Phivolcs, the Philippine Science High School, the Science Education Institute, and the Science and Technology Information Institute. He is very familiar with these agencies,” dela Pena told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Dela Pena clarified, however, that the directors of the said institutes would remain and that Solidum would just supervise.
“It’s hard to find a replacement for Usec. Carol Yorobe. It is important there’s someone to supervise (these institutes),” dela Pena said, adding that Solidum fits the post left vacant with the recent retirement of Yorobe.
“The (undersecretary for scientific and technological services) is a plantilla position, unlike Solidum’s current post as undersecretary for Disaster Risk Reduction that is co-terminus with the appointing authority,” he said. — Ma. Cristina Arayata (PNA)