Demise of Dr. Alexander Joel G. Gibe
Dr. Alexander Joel G. Gibe, Scientist I, of the Department of Agriculture – PHILMECH, passed away last January 26, 2016.
Dr. Gibe was conferred Scientist I on the 16th of May 2013. His expertise was Pesticide Toxicology. His major R&D findings published in scientific journals were adopted by the food safety industry as basis for recommending treatments for pest infestation in storage and postharvest handling and management of high value crop commodities. The industry wide adoption of this recommendation has both economic and technical implications in handling pests and diseases in storage of important crops.
He also undertook research on pesticide resistance with emphasis on biochemical mechanisms, stability and inheritance in major pests in storage. Treatments of pesticides with decreased dosage but with enhanced activity were adopted for grain protection to address resistance problem. These findings form part of the package of technologies for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in stored commodities which is being disseminated by PHILMECH.
Dr. Gibe is truly a loss to SCS and to the scientific community. He will be remembered not only for his accomplishments but also for his willingness to share his time and expertise to colleagues.
The SCS Oath Taking on December 9, 2015
One newly conferred and three promoted SCS scientists were sworn in by National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) President and SCC Member Academician William G. Padolina during the remarkable ceremony held on December 9, 2015 at the Acacia Hotel Manila in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. The newly conferred scientist, Dr. Marilla G. Lucero, is from Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) of the Department of Health (DOH), and the three highly productive member scientists upgraded, Dr. Claro N. Mingala, Dr. Mudjekeewies D., Santos and Dr. Dionisio G. Alvindia , are from Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) , National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), of the Department of Agriculture, respectively. Promoted scientists from BFAR-NFRDI and PhilMech were not able to attend the ceremony, but their contributions were recognized in the said event.
CSC and SCC Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala, through her representative Human Resource Policies and Standards Office Director Azucena P. Esleta, regarded the scientists group as the brightest hope of the world. She emphasized that the group has a low need for developmental and disciplinary actions. She recognized the role of the SCS in honing and nurturing civil servants and transforming them into Lingkod Bayani.