NINETEENTH CONGRESS                  )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES    )
First Regular session                           )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Introduced b
resentative Rufus 8.
House Bill No. 53 6 5
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Science  and  Technology  is  a  vital  tool  for  national  economic development.  Studies
have  shown   a   positive   relationship   between  economic  development  and   scientific  and
technological capability.
In an era of rapid scientific and technological development, the State should  provide
mechanisms to enable the country to be globally competitive. One mechanism is to create a
science and technology educational program that will propel our country to be at par with our
Asian neighbors.
To  meet  the  demands  of  the  times,  we  must  start  improving  our  Science  and
Technology  educational   system.  We  must   increase   infrastructure   support  to   build   and
upgrade  laboratory  rooms  and  provide  facilities  in  all  public  elementary  and  secondary
schools.  We  must  also  provide  venue  and  materials  for  students'  direct  and  hands-on
experiences  in  Science  and  Technology  learning.   Finally,  we  must  make  provisions  for
repair, maintenance and upgrading of acquired laboratory equipment.
In view hereof, the early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
®


NINETEENTH CONGRESS                  )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES    )
First Regular session                           )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
„          Introduced by R®pr®sentati`i® Rufus B. Rodr]auez                              __
House Bill No. 53 6 5
AN ACT
REQUIRING  THE  ESTABLISHMENT OF  FULLY-EQUIPPED  SCIENCE  LABORATORIES
IN   EVERY   PUBLIC   ELEMENTARY  AND   SECONDARY  SCHOOL  AND   FOR   OTHER
PURPOSES
Be it erl?ct.ed  by the Senate and  House of Representatives of the  Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SEC7TOW  1.   ri-I/e.  -  This  Act  shall  be  known  as  the  "Science  Laboratory  for  Basic
Education Act."
SEC.  2. Dec/arafi.on of po/i.cy. -lt is hereby declared a policy of the state to give priority to
scientific  and  technological  efforts  vital  to  national  development.  It  has  been  proven  that
industrialization can  be achieved  if schools adopt modern methods of teaching science and
technology during the early stages of education.
Furthermore,  the  Constitution   provides  that  the  right  of  teachers  to  professional
advancement should be enhanced. With this mandate, quality education shall be ensured.
SEC. 3. 04/-ec fives. -This Act aims to attain the following objectives within the period of five
(5) years.
1. To improve the quality of science and technology education in the country;
2.  To  provide  basic  and  advance  S&T  education  in  high  school,  respectively  in
preparation for higher education;
3.  To  teach  the  students  the  effective  use  and  operation  of  modern  laboratory
equipment and facility related to science and technology; and
4. To train S&T teachers the use of modern laboratory equipment so that they will be
more effective in demonstrating their uses.
SEC.  4.  Fund/.r]g Source.  -  ln addition to the funds to be  provided  by the  Legislature,  this
Act shall receive funding support from the following:
a. Twenty percent (20%) share from the gross proceeds of travel tax collections over
and above the share of the National government therefrom;
b.  Twenty  percent  (20%)  share  from  the  net  income  of the  Philippine  Games  and
Amusement  Corporation  (PAGCOR)  over  and  above  the  franchise  tax  and  the
corporate income tax therefrom.
SEC. 5. /ncenf/.yes. -Incentives shall be given to the following:
a.           Tax    Incentives    shall    be    given    to    private    entities    engaging    in    S&T
development;
b.           Private   schools   who   shall   import   laboratory   equipmenvfacilities   for   the
exclusive  use  in  their  school  shall  be  given  a  twenty  percent  (20°/o)  tax  deduction
from the total revenue obligations;
c.           Private entities engaged  in the manufacture of laboratory equipment needed
in public schools shall be given a three percent         (3°/a) tax incentive/deduction from
the importation of raw materials.


SEC. 6. Proposed System. -This Act shall provide the following:
1.            Construction of laboratory buildings;
2.           Provide required laboratory equipment and facilities;
3.           Continuous development and updating of standards for facilities
4.           Strengthen partnership between public and private institutions in
promoting science and technology.
5.           Strengthen  the  coordination  between  the  regional  Science  and  Technology
Teaching Centers (RSTCs) and the Department of Education, regional offlc6;
in monitoring / utilization of laboratory equipment;
Train  math and  science teachers the  proper use,  repair and  maintenance of
the laboratory facilities equipment;
Create  required  laboratory technician  positions at least for every elementary
and   secondary   schools   for   operation,   repair   and   maintenance   of   the
laboratory equipment (or alternative scheme of maintenance) and facilities;
Provide replacement and assistance of science and technology;
The  number of laboratory  rooms/facilities  per school  shall  be  determined  by
science and technology experts of DOST and lsMED.
The building, plans and design shall be drawn and approved by DOST-SEI.
SEC.  7.  Di.sposi.fi.on  of Funds.  - The  Fund  shall  be  utilized  for the construction  of school
laboratories   including   equipment/facilities   and   the   creation   of   required   positions   of   a
technician in every public elementary and high schools throughout the country.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Science Education
Institute  (SEl)  in  coordination  with  the  regional  offices  of  DepEd  and  the  RSTCs  shall
implement the  program.  The  above-mentioned  offices  shall  also  monitor the  utilization  and
maintenance of the equipment.
SEC.   8.   /mp/emenfatfon.   -  The   implementation   of  the   activities   of  this  Act  shall   be
undertaken by SEl in coordination with the RSTCs and DepEd Regional Offices.
The initial  implementation of this Act shall  be undertaken  in every electoral district to
be funded and spearheaded by the Congressman who has jurisdiction of the district therein.
The maximum  number of pupils/students  in every laboratory class  must not exceed
fifty   (50)   and   there   must   be   at   least   one   laboratory   room   for   every   forty-   five   (45)
pupils/students.
SEC. 9. Separab/.//`fy C/ause. - lf for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared invalid
or unconstitutional;  the  remaining  provision  not affected  thereby shall  continue  to  be  in full
force and effect.
SEC.   10.  Repea/i.ng  C/ause.  -  All  laws,  decrees,  orders  or  regulations  or  part  thereof
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC.  77.  Effect/-y/-fy .-This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the completion of
its publication  in the Official Gazette or in a  national  newspaper of general circulation  in the
Philippines.
Approved,