Rafael M. Salas

In his honor, POPCOM created in 1990 what has evolved into a yearly prestigious award : The Rafael M. Salas Population and Development Award (RMSPDA). It aims to perpetuate his legacy by recognizing local government units, individuals and institutions for their outstanding achievements and contributions in population management programs. (1) It also seeks to recognize individuals and institutions who continuously pursue the ideals and visions of Salas to "achieve a better world for the present and future generations." (1)

Besides his role as international public servant, Salas was also a poet and author. He contributed articles to international magazines and newspapers drawing on his writing skills as past editor of the Philippine Law Journal. He died on March 4, 1987 in Washington, DC from an apparent heart attack as he prepared to return to the Philippines shortly after the restoration of democracy in the People Power Revolution of 1986 that swept Marcos out of power. It was speculated at the time of his death that Salas would make a run for the presidency of the Philippines.

But due to irreconcilable differences with President Ferdinand E. Marcos, he resigned and accepted a position to become the first executive director of United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) in 1969 (The agency is now known as the United Nations Population Fund and is led by an undersecretary general). Salas served in this position with efficiency and distinction. (3)

By 1966, Salas, also known affectionately as "Paeng," was recruited to a Cabinet position as executive secretary of President Ferdinand E. Marcos. While executive secretary, Salas was named by Marcos as chief action officer of the National Rice Sufficiency Program and was credited for the dramatic increase in rice production whose shortfall perennially plagued the country.

Rafael Montinola Salas (August 7, 1928 – March 4, 1987) was the first head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). His tenure started at the agency's inception in 1969 and ended with his sudden death in 1987. Prior to accepting the UN post, Salas served as executive secretary to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos until a falling-out on policy differences prompted his resignation from the Marcos government in 1969.

Salas was born in Bago, Negros Occidental, Philippines on August 7, 1928, one of three children of Ernesto Araneta Salas and Isabel Neri Montinola. After World War II, Salas went to Manila to continue his education and obtained his B.A. (magna cum laude) from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1950. Three years later, he completed his law degree (cum laude) from the U.P. College of Law. He then attended Harvard University, where he finished his master's degree in public administration in 1955. He returned to his country and joined the academe at his alma mater, the University of the Philippines as a lecturer in Economics until 1959 when he transferred to the Far Eastern University as professorial lecturer until 1961. He was rehired by the University of the Philippines as assistant vice president from 1962 to 1963 and then as professorial lecturer of Law and member of the Board of Regents from 1963 to 1966. He is a member of the Pan Xenia Fraternity and one of the Outstanding Pan Xenians recognized in 1973.