Republic of the Philippines i‘
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES P
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bruno, __6464

Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Developments in science and technology continue to fundamentally influence the
way people live, connect, and communicate. These have brought about significant effects on
the country’s economic development. Science and technology are key drivers to national
development because the evolutions in these fields promote economic advances,
improvements in health systems, education and infrastructure. Developed countries like
the United States and Japan create numerous investments on nuclear science and
engineering because, as evidenced by their growth, technological innovation leads to
economic prosperity.

To promote technological advancement in the country, the State must invest in
quality education for the youth, thus the crafting of this bill. It seeks to motivate and
encourage the youth to be involved in Nuclear Science and Engineering by providing
scholarship grants to deserving Filipino youth,

In order to develop our country as a budding leader in science and to ensure that we

reap the economic fruits of technological innovation, the passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.

FREDO D. VARGAS III


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

House BILLNo.__ 6464

Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas Il

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR STUDIES IN NUCLEAR
SCIENCE AND NUCLEAR ENGINEERING

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 the “Nuclear Science and Nuclear
Engineering Scholarship Act.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - Science and Technology are essential for national
development and progress. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote the
development of the country’s science and technology by promoting and enhancing the
capabilities required in the areas of research, development, innovation as well as their
utilization. As such, it shall provide for scholarships, grants-in-aid, or other forms of
incentives to deserving science students and other special-gifted citizens to enable them to
pursue higher education or training in areas of science and technology.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term:

(A) “DOST” refers to the Department of Science and Technology;

(B)“Nuclear engineering” refers to the application of the breakdown of atomic
nuclei and/or other sub-atomic physics. It includes, but is not limited to, the
interaction or maintenance of nuclear fission systems and components,
specifically, nuclear reactors, nuclear power plants, and/or nuclear weapons.
The field may also include the study of nuclear fusion, medical and other
applications of (generally ionizing) _ radiation, nuclear _ safety,


heat/thermodynamics transport, nuclear fuel and/or other related (e.g, waste
disposal) technology, nuclear proliferation, and the effect of radioactive waste or
radioactivity in the environment; and

(©) “Nuclear science” refers to the study of atomic nucleus.

Section 4. In General. - A National Scholarship Program for studies in Nuclear Science and
Nuclear Engineering shall be created and spearheaded by the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST), in coordination with such government agencies and institutions
involved in fostering the development of nuclear science and nuclear engineering in the
country.

Section 5. Application. - An eligible undergraduate institution may receive a grant upon
proper application to the Secretary of DOST. The application shall include a cost effective
proposal on how the scholarship grant shall be expended to attain the objective of fostering
the development of nuclear science and nuclear engineering in the country including but
not limited to proposed scholars willing and capable to undertake comprehensive training
on nuclear science and technology as well as the institutions, locally or abroad, which will
provide such training.

Section 6. Duration. - The National Scholarship Program for Studies in Nuclear Science and
Nuclear Engineering shall last for four years from the effectivity of this Act. Thereafter, the
program shall be evaluated according to criteria and measures to be determined by the
DOST.

Section 7. Report. - The DOST shall transmit a progress report to Congress every year for
the duration of the program.

Section 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
will be appropriated from the National Treasury.

Section 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provision
hereof.

Section 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or portions
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

Section 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in the (2) two newspapers or general circulation.

Approved,