Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY  
REP. ALFRED VARGAS 
AN ACT 
TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF NATIONAL RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Innovation enables growth, while growth also opens opportunities for 
further innovation. Research and development, as harbingers and indicators 
of innovation, thus, are essential parts of the economic development of a 
nation. 
The Constitution, Article 14, Section 10 provides: 
“Science and Technology are essential for national 
development and progress. The State shall give 
priority to research and development, invention, 
innovation, and their utilization; and to science and 
technology education, training, and services. It shall 
support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant 
scientific and technological capabilities, and their 
application to the country’s productive systems and 
national life.” 
Despite the abundance of skilled researchers and research universities 
in the country, the government has yet to fully utilize this supply of 
intellectuals and their public service-oriented research through programs and 
policies that support them. As such, we need to ensure that bureaucratic 
processes will not hinder our efforts and instead would simplify the 
government requirements to allow the people behind the research and 
development (R&D) activities to be incentivized and their research be fully 
utilized. 
October 14, 2021
8:01 am
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This bill seeks to establish under the Office of the President a Research 
and Development Support Committee (RDSC) who shall be responsible for 
reviewing regulations affecting research and research universities. This 
Committee shall harmonize, streamline, and eliminate duplicative regulations 
and reporting requirements; and minimize the regulatory burden on 
institutions of higher education performing government funded research 
while maintaining accountability for expenditures. 
It is the hope of this measure to efficiently utilize the rich talents and 
skills of our researchers and research universities to provide the best and 
most innovative programs to serve the country at large. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.  
ALFRED VARGAS 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY  
REP. ALFRED VARGAS 
AN ACT 
TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF NATIONAL RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title – This Act shall be known as “Research and 
Development Efficiency Act'.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It shall be the policy of the State to 
ensure that all efforts towards research and development shall be efficient 
and effective.  
SECTION 3. Research and Development Support Committee. – There shall 
be established under the Office of the President a Research and Development 
Support Committee (RDSC) who shall be responsible for reviewing regulations 
affecting research and research universities and making recommendations on 
how to: 
a) harmonize, streamline, and eliminate duplicative regulations and
reporting requirements; and
b) minimize the regulatory burden on institutions of higher education
performing 
government 
funded 
research 
while 
maintaining
accountability for expenditures.
SECTION 4. Stakeholder Input. – In carrying out the responsibilities under 
Section 3, the RDSC shall take into account input and recommendations from 
stakeholders, including national and local government funded researchers, 
institutions of higher education, scientific disciplinary societies and 
associations, non-profit research institutions, industry, including small 
businesses, government funded research and development centers, and 
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others with a stake in ensuring effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability in 
the performance of scientific research. 
SECTION 5. Report. – Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, and annually thereafter for 3 years, the Director shall report to the 
appropriate committees in the Senate and the House of Representatives on 
what steps have been taken to carry out the recommendations of the working 
group established under Section 3. 
SECTION 6. Term. – The term of RDSC shall be three (3) years. 
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of 
Science and Technology, and the Chairperson of the Commission on 
Higher Education, in coordination with other stakeholders, shall issue 
the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of 
this Act.  
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any provision of this 
Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, parts or provisions of this Act 
which are not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, presidential 
decrees, Implementing Rules and Regulations inconsistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved,