Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña is this year’s recipient of the General Gregorio del Pilar Awards 2021 Natatanging Bulakenyo.
The DOST chief received the award on Sunday, Nov. 14, at the Plaza del Pilar in San Jose, Bulacan.
The municipality of Bulakan, Bulacan conferred the award to 72-year-old de la Peña for his exemplary contributions to science and technology, and for showing competence and sterling performance in the service of Bulacan province and the nation as well.
Held annually, the General Gregorio del Pilar Awards is among the commemorative activities for the 146th birth anniversary of late General Gregorio S. del Pilar. Born on Nov. 14, 1875, he was the youngest general in the Philippine revolutionary army.
In 2016, President Duterte appointed de la Peña as the DOST’s top man.
Prior to his appointment, he served as DOST Undersecretary for Science and Technology (S & T) Services from May 2001 to 2015.
De la Peña started his career in government service as the chief of the Planning Services Division of the National Science and Technology Authority, the forerunner of DOST, in the early 1980s.
De la Peña also served for three years as director of DOST’s Technology Application and Promotion Institute starting 1989.
In between his stint at the DOST, he assumed as vice president for Planning and Development and then, interim executive director of the University of the Philippines (UP).
He also served at the APEC Center for Technology Exchange and Training for Small and Medium Enterprises. He was a former president of the UP Alumni Engineers, Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers, and trustee of the UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation among others.