From 1968 to 2008, four rice-producing provinces were sampled to study the link of farming and out-migration. Ms. Joyce Luis, Associate Scientist of the International Rice Research Institute, discussed that farming is the primary occupation of most households in the sampled rice-producing provinces. But some family members work off-farms abroad. The temporary migration of the male household-head transfers the responsibility on farm management to his wife. Consequently, the wife gains decision-making authority in the family and in the farm. Temporary migrant workers are more prevalent in rainfed farms than those in irrigated farms. Also, a higher proportion of females than males was observed to migrate. Ms. Jemelle Milanes, Planning Officer of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), spoke about the Magna Carta on Women. She discussed the provisions in the constitution that protect the rights and welfare of women. She stated that the Magna Carta guarantees the civil, political and economic rights of women, particularly in marginalized sectors. PCW is responsible for the overall monitoring and implementation of this law and is the primary policy-making and coordinating body to ensure women empowerment and gender equality in the country.

The roundtable discussion on the second Millennium Development Goal—Achieve Universal Primary Education was held at Traders Hotel, Pasay City, on January 26, 2010. The RTD convened by the Social Sciences Division of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Philippines, was attended by 25 participants. The RTD was held to address the question “How can we avert the decline in the performance of EFA indicators of education outcomes and sustain improvements in those that registered recovery?” To answer this question the following objectives were discussed: (1) to identify the key determinants of selected major education outcomes, (2) to examine concomitant or related education policies and strategies, and (3) to determine the project intervention for purposes of recommending reforms or possible reorientation.

As the nation’s premier advisor to government, the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) has taken an active role in studying the extent to which the country is meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and its attendant difficulties, through empirical measurements.

On February 2, 2010, a Roundtable Discussion (RTD) on the MDG #1(Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger) was held in Traders Hotel, Pasay. This RTD, convened by the Social Sciences Division of NAST had for its objectives: (1) to determine the factors that affect the dynamics of hunger incidence, (2) to determine the prevalence of the hunger incidence, (3) to come up with recommendations on lowering the prevalence of hunger incidence, and (4) to present statistics related to poverty and hunger.

              Through Proclamation No. 1980 issued by Malacañang on January 14, 2010, Academician Mercedes B. Concepcion was declared National Scientist for her outstanding contributions in the field of demography. This is the highest honor which the Philippine Government can bestow on a Filipino scientist for his/her outstanding contributions to science and technology. Her outstanding accomplishments covered the study of population composition and trends and their implications for social and economic development, the growth of urbanization, the situation of the elderly and of employment that resulted in the formulation of population policies here and abroad.