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Ex-DOST-PCHRD chief passes away

Philippines | National

Ex-DOST-PCHRD chief passes away

By Charissa Luci-Atienza

The former executive director of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) has died.

(DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña's Facebook page)

DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña confirmed on Monday, Nov. 8, the passing of Dr. Pacita Zara.

"We are deeply saddened with the news of the passing of Dr. Pacita Zara. Her sister Lourdes Zara Velasco announced that she passed away due to fatal arrhythmia,” he said in a Facebook post.

The DOST chief said Zara devoted her whole professional career at the National Science Development Board (NSDB), at the National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA), and the DOST.

“She served for many years as Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) until her retirement,” he said.

De la Peña described Zara “as a great Filipino who worked and contributed much in the area of science and technology for development specifically in the area of health research.”

He said the former PCHRD director and her family threw all out support to Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Basic Research and the Gregorio Y. Zara Award for applied Research at the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PhilAAST).

"They have supported this award in honor of their father, the late National Scientist Gregorio Y. Zara, consistently for more than four decades now.”

"The DOST expresses its love and admiration for Dr. Pacita Zara. It also conveys sincerest condolences to her family. May she rest in peace.”

Related Tags

PCHRD pacita zara DOST

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