Dr. Renato Solidum, Jr.

He is a Filipino geologist, who is currently serving as the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) since August 13, 2022. Previously, he 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(PHILVOCS).

 

He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Geology at the University of the Philippines.  He also studied at the University of Illinois, Chicago where he obtained his geological sciences master’s degree and at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego where he acquired his doctorate degree in Earth sciences.

 

He has been a part of PHILVOCS in 1984 since it split off from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).  He received international attention in 1991 when PHILVOCS  Director Punongbayan  tasked him to work with the United States Geological Service  to gather data at the then restive Mount Pinatubo. The findings led to Punongbayan to raise an evacuation alert in the area prior to a major volcanic eruption saving thousands of lives.

 

In recognition of his contributions to disaster risk reduction in the Philippines, he received numerous awards, including the 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 and the Excellence Award for Government Service by  the Philippine Federation of Professional Associations.