BICUTAN TAGUIG CITY - The Scientific Career System (SCS) conferred Dr. Rene C. Santiago of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI), the rank of Scientist I effective February 21, 2023. He is the first to be conferred the rank at DA-BAI.
Dr. Santiago specializes in the field of animal breeding and reproduction. His research focused on the development, improvement, and promotion of native animals in the Philippines. He was the project leader of the “Development of Sustainable Breeder Philippine Mallard Duck Production System,” where Itik Pinas, a signature Philippine egg-type duck, originated. The Itik Pinas was selected for high egg production, predictable performance, and consistent egg quality for balut and salted egg.
Dr. Santiago is currently the Agricultural Center Chief of the National Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center and the National Coordinator for the Philippine Native Animal Development (PNAD) Program. He obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Dr. Yanga Francisco Balagtas College and finished his Master of Science in Animal Breeding at the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
He is now among the 33 active career scientists in the Department of Agriculture. With this development, the roster of scientists conferred under the System brings the total number to 203 since the System was institutionalized in 1983 by former President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
The SCS is a system of recruitment, career progression, and recognition that rewards scientists rank in the government service to develop a pool of highly qualified and productive scientific personnel. The system is co-implemented by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), with the CSC Chairman and DOST Secretary serving as Co-chairs of the Scientific Career Council. The SCS program is now administered by the NAST PHL.