Republic of the Philippines RECEIVE!
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TE: 13 AUG
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES

Quezon City, Metro Manila

DATE:

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3885
House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable ALFONSO V. UMALI JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to convert the existing Provincial Science and
Technology Center (PSTC) in all provinces of the Philippines into
Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) as part of the
organisational structure of the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST).

Science and technology has long been recognized as one of
the significant drivers of national development. In fact, Section
10, Article XIV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution explicitly
states that:

“Section 10. 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.”

In 1991, pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No.
6959 entitled “An Act Establishing Provincial Centres for Science
and Technology in All Provinces of the Philippines And
Appropriating Funds Therefor,” the Provincial Science and
Technology Centers (PSTC) in all provinces in the country was
established and operationalized serving as extensions of the

D



DOST Regional Offices primarily for the purpose of implementing
DOST’s programs and projects such as technology demonstration
and transfer, science and technology promotion and information
dissemination, and such other areas of concern that will benefit
the people in the provinces, among others.

As constant partners of the local government units, the
PSTCs have made a difference in the lives of students,
professionals, peoples’ organizations, cooperatives, civil society
organizations, farmers and fisher folks, differently-abled citizens,
senior citizens, and the private sector through the wide range of
programs, projects, and services like technology transfer and
commercialization, innovation system support, training
programs, packaging and labeling assistance, technology clinics,
and the likes effectively rolled-out in various parts of the regions
and provinces, Being the implementing arm of the DOST in the
provinces, PSTCs provide central direction, leadership, and
coordination of scientific and technological efforts and ensure
that the results therefrom are geared and utilized in areas of
maximum economic and social benefits of the people in the
respective localities they serve.

However, for the longest time, the PSTCs’ operations have
not been improved in terms of authority, It is worthy to note that
based on its existing organizational structure under RA 6959,
PSTCs are practically supervised by rank and file employee with a
salary grade of 19, being the highest rank, and supported by
measly 2-3 plantilla personnel. Glaringly, the DOST is lagging
behind from other National Government Agencies (NGAs) in terms
of human resources and complement especially in the respective
provincial offices where most, if not all, NGAs are headed by a
Provincial Director.

Given the current status of technological advancement and
trends, as well as the need for technology transfer in the
countryside, it is high time that, through this bill, Republic Act
No. 6959 be amended in order to strengthen the existing PSTCs
by converting them into Provincial Science and Technology
Offices per Civil Service Commission/Department of Budget and
Management Index of Occupational Services (IOS), thereby
enabling these DOST Provincial Offices to empower more


communities through more efficient delivery of Science,
Technology, and Innovation Services.

In view thereof, early consideration and approval of this bill
is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES

Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3885
House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable ALFONSO V. UMALI, JR.

AN ACT CONVERTING THE PROVINCIAL SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY CENTER INTO PROVINCIAL SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY OFFICE IN EVERY PROVINCE, AMENDING

FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6959 AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives
of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the
“Provincial Science and Technology Office Act of 2019.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy, - It is the policy and
duty of the State to fast track the transfer of relevant and
appropriate technologies and services to the rural areas
particularly in the enhancement and development of technology-
based livelihood enterprises in the countryside.

SECTION 3. Provincial Science and Technology Offices
(PSTO). - The Provincial Science and Technology Centers of the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which are the
principal instruments of technology transfer and development of
technology-based enterprises of the government in the rural
areas are, through this Act, converted into Provincial Science and
Technology Offices (PSTO),


SECTION 4. Functions of the PSTO. - The Provincial
Science and Technology Office shall perform the following
functions;

a. Identify the needs and opportunities in science and
technology (S&T) in the provinces;

b. Implement DOST programs and projects on technology
promotion and transfer, S&T human _ resource
development, S&T promotion and_ information
dissemination, delivery of technical and consultancy
services, and such other areas of concern that will
benefit the people in the provinces;

c. Develop institutional linkages with provincial offices of
other departments both local government units,
academe and non-governmental offices for the effective
implementation of science and technology programs in
the provinces;

a. Perform other functions as may be determined by the
DOST Secretary.

SECTION 5. Provincial Science and Technology
Director. - The present head of the PSTCs with the designation of
Provincial Science and Technology Officer and the position
title of Senior Science Research Specialist, with salary grade of
nineteen (SG 19) shall be upgraded to the rank of Provincial
Science and Technology Director in each province with a salary
grade equivalent to a full-fledged Provincial Director position as
determined by the DOST Secretary in consultation with the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Civil
Service Commission (CSC).

The Provincial Science and Technology Director shall
exercise the following duties and responsibilities:

a. Formulate the provincial S&T plan, programs, and
projects designed to promote science and culture among
the people in the province, consistent with and
supportive to the regional and national development S&T
plans;


. Implement and monitor the technology promotion,
transfer, and commercialization of projects of the DOST
in the province;

Promote the adoption of the appropriate technology by
micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to
improve operational efficiency and increase productivity
to harness the result of scientific researches and
innovations to produce new and competitive products;

. Disseminate S&T-related information and R&D result

through the conduct of trainings, symposia and/or
other similar fora;

. Maintain effective liaison with the public and private
academic institutions and other government agencies
engaged in scientific and technological research,
education, and training;

Coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) and
academic institutions for the promotion of scholarship
programs aimed to attract the science-oriented
students to pursue basic and applied sciences in order
to broaden the S&T human resource in the province;

Coordinate with the DOST regional office and its regional
development council for the promotion all S&T activities;

. Coordinate with public and private organizations in the
implementation of human resource and institutional
development programs in the province;

Represent DOST in the inter-agency meetings,
conferences, and other coordinative activities in the
province;

. Undertake overall supervision and fiscal management of
services and operations of the PSTO;

. Ensure that the quality of operational management
system is in accordance with the ISO quality
management standards;


o. Enter into lawful contracts, memoranda of agreement,
deeds, and the likes, with the heads of the colleges or
universities designated as offices, local government
units, other provincial offices of the NGAs, and other
entities, either public or private, which may include
matters of reporting and payment of honoraria to
members of their faculty and staff; and

p. Perform other related functions as may be assigned by
the higher authorities from time to time.

SECTION 6. Qualifications of Provincial S&T
Director. - The DOST in consultation with the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM) and Civil Service Commission
(CSC) shall formulate the necessary qualification standards and
eligibility requirements commensurate to the Provincial Science
and Technology Director. The incumbent head of the PSTO shall
have preference and automatically be included in the selection for
Provincial Science and Technology Director position.

SECTION 7, Remuneration and other Benefits of the
Provincial Director. - The remuneration of the Provincial
Science and Technology Director shall be equivalent to a full-
fledged Provincial Director position in the government service and
shall be entitled to representation and transportation allowance
commensurate to his office and other benefits as prescribed by
law,

SECTION 8. Staff of the Provincial Science and
Technology Office. - The PSTOs shall have at least three (3)
plantilla positions. In cases, when there is a need for additional
staff, such shall be determined by the Provincial S&T Director
based on the population of the province in consultation with and
with concurrence of the DOST Secretary. The DOST Secretary
shall determine the level of these positions, provided that
prescribed qualifications shall be in accordance with existing
Civil Service laws and regulations.

SECTION 9. Use of Funds. - All fees and charges
collected as a result of S&T services rendered by the PSTOs is not
only limited to metrological work, testing and calibration services


but shall be used by the PSTOs in the enhancement of PSTOs
capabilities, development of human resource and in the
maintenance of their equipment and facilities,

SECTION 10. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to
carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the
budget of the DOST under the Annual General Appropriations
Act.

SECTION 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. —
The DOST, in consultation with concerned agencies and
stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and
regulation of this Act within ninety (90) days from effectivity of
this Act.

SECTION 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of
this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the other
provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force effect.

SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 6959
as well as all other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
ordinances, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby amended
accordingly.

SECTION 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen
(15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2)
national newspapers of general circulation,

Approved.