Orlando Mercado

Philippines 

Secretary General, Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration

Professor, National College of Public Administration and Governance

Expertise: Strategic Communication, Risk Communication in Disaster Management, Negotiations and Conflict Management, Environmental Protection, Public Health, Regional Security with Focus on the South China Sea 


Credentials

Academics

PhD in Political Science (1997), University of the Philippines - Diliman

Masters of Arts in Communication (1983), University of the Philippines - Diliman

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (1968), University of the Philippines - Manila


Relevant Work Experience

Ambassador (Permanent Representative to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Jakarta, Indonesia (2009-2010)

Secretary, Department of National Defense (1998-2001)

Senator, Senate of the Republic of the Philippines (1987-1998)

Chairman, National Parks Development Committee (1986-1987)

Assemblyman, Batasang Pambansa (National Assembly) (1984-1986)


Significant Contributions

Environment

• Organized the “Green Coalition” – an alliance of government and non-government organizations dedicated to the environment (1990)

• Principal Author and Sponsor of the Senate Bill 2033: “An act providing for a comprehensive air pollution control policy and for other purposes” (1997)

• Initiated massive tree planting in military camps and reservations and apprehension of illegal loggers; and enabled military protection for people’s organizations that preserve the remaining forest cover in the country

As Senator, among the measures he authored are:

• Generics Drug and Medicines Act of 1988 (R.A. 6675)
• An Act establishing provincial centres for Science and Technology (R.A. 6959)
• Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (R.A. 7277)
• Consumer Act of the Philippines (R.A. 7394)
• An Act promoting Salt Iodization nationwide (R.A. 8172)
• An Act promoting voluntary blood donation, providing for an adequate supply of safe blood, regulating blood banks, providing penalties for violations thereof (R.A. 8180)
• Children’s Media Act of 1996 (R.A. 8370)
• Philippine National Police Reform Act (R.A. 8851)

As Secretary/Minister of Department of National Defense, he:

• Instituted a reorganization program in the Department of National Defense to assert civilian supremacy over the military
• Initiated reforms in the Retirement and Separation Benefit Systems (RSBS), the pension fund of the soldiers
• Instituted a computerization program for the Philippine Veterans Administration Office (PVAO) 
• Pioneered the use of electronic technology for procurement of equipment and supplies of the Armed Forces of the Philippines

---