MANILA—National scientist Teodulo Topacio, an authoritative figure in veterinary medicine in the country, has died, the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) announced on Tuesday. He was 94.

"We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of National Scientist Teodulo Topacio. We are extending our condolences and prayers to his family and friends," the academy said in a Facebook post.

Topacio was conferred the order of national scientist in 2008 for his work on leptospiral disease of domesticated animals. In 1993, he was elected as academician to the NAST, the country's premiere body on science and technology.

The NAST said Topacio led a group of veterinarians and physicians in the preparation and lobbying of a bill preventing, controlling and eradicating rabies. The bill was signed into law as Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007.

Topacio was born on Nov. 30, 1924. He finished veterinary medicine at University of the Philippines in Diliman in 1951.

Topacio had served in government and international agencies, such as the Asian Development Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the World Health Organization.