Geologist Renato Solidum will head the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Malacañang announced on Friday.
Solidum, who has worked with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhiVolcs) since 1984 and who has led it since 2003, was also DOST Undersecretary for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation before his new appointment.
The Office of the Press Secretary released a copy of the letter containing Solidum’s appointment, dated July 22 and signed by Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also appointed former lawmaker Mylene Garcia-Albano as the country’s new envoy to Japan.
In a Facebook post, state-run Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) announced that Marcos administered the oath of office to Garcia-Albano as Philippine ambassador to Japan.
RTVM also shared a short video clip of the oath-taking rites at Malacañan Palace’s Reception Hall on Thursday.
Apart from Garcia-Albano, Marcos also led the oath-taking of Aileen Anunciacion Zosa as president and chief executive officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Olivia “Bong” Coo as commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Garcia-Albano was a former representative of Davao City 2nd District, while Zosa served as BCDA executive vice president and chief operating officer before her new stint.
Coo’s appointment, meanwhile, was first announced by Malacañang in July.
Coo, a retired professional bowler, was a five-time Asian games gold medalist, 14-time Asian champion, and eight-time Southeast Asian games gold winner.