Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon was bestowed the 2012 Most Distinguished Alumni Award for Science and Technology by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA).
The awarding ceremony was held at the UP Bahay ng Alumni, Diliman, Quezon City.
The UPAA honors UP alumni or alumnae who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in different fields; and whose excellent contributions render substantial benefits to society and bring great honor to the University.
UP President Alfredo Pascual led the conferment of the awards to more than 40 individuals and families. They were awarded based on their service orientation, leadership, impact, and integrity.
The award embodies Faylon’s numerous achievements as a leader of PCAARRD in a stint spanning for more than a decade.
For one, he has provided quality leadership in managing the Philippine agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources R&D system. He led the then Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (now PCAARRD) in obtaining the ISO 9001:2008 certification and the Philippine Quality Award (PQA).
Dr. Faylon is also an expert in generating resources for the national agriculture R&D system, having extensive linkages with international and local organizations in both private and government sectors.
For instance, Faylon nurtures the Council’s relationship with, among others, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics, and Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institute.
Foremost among his significant accomplishments is the establishment of the Techno Gabay Program (TGP).
TGP is PCAARRD’s platform for R&D results utilization and transfer. The program provides the framework for a more effective and sustainable strategy for bringing the much needed information and technologies to the countryside.
Finally, it was under Faylon when the Technology Transfer Act was approved. Through his leadership, PCAARRD spearheaded the crafting, approval, and promotion of the law.
The Act is considered a breakthrough for publicly funded researches and for government researchers.