NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBUC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
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■22 AUG 31 A9 '49
SENATE 
S. No. 1241
RIX£IVtD8V;
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE SCIENCE FOR CHANGE PROGRAM AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS, THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 10, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution provides that "Science and 
technology as 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, xxx"
The proposed measure seeks to institutionalize the Science for Change (S4C) 
Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which governs the 
implementation of new programs and expansion of the existing research and 
development (R&D) and Human Resource Development (HRD) programs of DOST.
The S4CP shall focus on the Accelerated R&D Program for Capacity Building 
of Research and Development Institutions and Industrial Competitiveness which is 
composed of four (4) programs, namely: (1) Niche Centers in the Regions for Research 
and Development (NICER) Program, (2) Research and Development Leadership 
(RDLead) Program, (3) Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage 
Philippine Economy (CRADLE) Program, and (4) Business Innovation through S&T 
(BIST) for Industry Program.


If implemented, the proposed measure will accelerate science, technology, and 
innovation (STl) in the coimtry under the auspices of the DOST. The S4C bill also 
outhnes how our R&D investment will help improve the economy and address 
pressing issues such as global warming, food insecurity, and the pandemic, all of 
which require a scientific response.
The agenda of the Science for Change program is clear, it enables the nation 
to be self-sufficient, globally competitive and equipped to harness research and 
development in search of knowledge-driven solutions and evidence-based 
responses in resolving the nation's challenges in the face of a global health crisis.
The bill also calls for increased funding for research and development (R&D) 
in the country. Under Administrative Order No. 018, Series of 2020 issued by the 
Department of Science and Technology, from 2009 to 2013, the R&D expenditures as 
a percentage of the GDP increased from 0.11% to 0.14%. In the PhiHppine 
Development Plan 2017-2022, the annual targets for R&D expenditure as a percentage 
of GDP are set at 0.2% in 2017, increasing to 0.5% by 2022. However, these are still far 
from the global average of 2.04% and the UNESCO recommendation of 1% for 
developing countries.
Accordingly, the proposed measure seeks to institutionahze DOST's Science 
for Change Program to address the inadequacies in the field of research and 
development, such as the lack of funding, shortage of workforce, and weak 
organizational structure.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
LOREN LEGARDA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 1241
i£p of ‘iftnrp
*22 AUG 31 A9 49
Rl-CEIVtD BY;
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE SCIENCE FOR CHANGE PROGRAM AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS, THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Science for Change
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Program."
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to the State's policy declared under the
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Constitution that science and technology are essential for national development and
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progress, and in pursuit of excellence in the field of science, technology, and
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innovation (SH), the State must accelerate the development of SH in the country by
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significantly increasing relevant investments, expanding existing SH initiatives,
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creating new programs, developing of human resources in SH, and by focusing on
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capacity building of research and development institutions.
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Sec. 3. Objectives. - The objectives of this Act are as follows:
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1. To achieve a higher standard of SH and contribute to the development of the
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economy and society;
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2. To improve the welfare of the nation by prescribing comprehensive and
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systematic policies for the promotion of SH; and
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3. To encourage innovation and creativity among Filipinos, develop new
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products, technologies, and solutions to pressing national problems, and gain
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a competitive edge in research and development.
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Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:


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a. Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA) refers to an 
outcome-based agenda that identifies all the research and development 
(R&D) programs and projects to be undertaken and funded by the 
government to support the attainment of the key result areas of the 
government's development objectives, particularly those aiming to reduce 
poverty and empower the poor and vulnerable; induce rapid, inclusive, and 
sustained economic growth; promote the integrity of the environment, and 
enhance the country's climate change adaptation and mitigation capabihty.
b. High-tech equipment refers to any equipment using the most advanced and 
developed machines and methods.
c. National Innovation Council (NIC) refers to the policy advisory body 
established imder Republic Act No. 11293, or the Philippine Iimovation Act, 
mandated to formulate, develop, implement and monitor the country's 
innovation goals, priorities, and long-term national strategy.
d. Publicly-funded technology refers to any technology, the development or 
generation of which was funded in part or in full, using government money 
or resources.
e. Research and Development (R&D) refers to any systematic and creative work 
undertaken in the physical, natural, mathematical, and apphed sciences by 
using methods to increase the stock of knowledge in these fields to devise 
new applications.
f. Science refers to the systematic way of acquiring knowledge through 
observation and experimentation.
g. Technology refers to the practical application of science.
h. Innovation refers to the creation of new ideas that result in developing new 
or improved products, processes, or services that are then spread or 
transferred across the market.
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Technology licensing refers to a mode of technology transfer whereby a 
licensor such as a technology generator or technology or intellectual 
property owner, authorizes a licensee to use the technology under specific 
agreed terms and conditions.


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Sec. 5. Science for Change Program (S4CP) and Utilization Policy Framework. - The
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formulation of the S4CP is anchored on the Harmonized National R&D Agenda
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(HNRD A), which shall be regularly updated based on the needs of the time.
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a. To achieve the objectives of this Act, the following Science and Technology
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(S&I) programs of the DOST shall be expanded:
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1. Health self-sufficiency and responsiveness to pubhc health emergencies;
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2. Renewable energy systems & bioenergy technologies;
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3. Functional materials for alternative energy sources and energy conversion
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and storage;
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4. Nuclear science for energy, health, agriculture, and industry;
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5. Biotechnology, nanotechnology, and genomics;
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6. Qimate and environment sciences;
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7. Nutrition and food security and safety;
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8. Agriculture, aquaculture, and fisheries productivity;
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9. Natural resource management and sustainable development;
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10. Transport solutions;
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11. Industrial, manufacturing, or mining productivity;
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12. Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation;
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13. Science and Technology (services for the production sector);
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14. Metrology, cahbration, and standards;
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15. Technology transfer or commercialization;
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16. Human resource development for science, technology, and innovation;
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and
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17. Nurturing a culture of science.
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b. The Science for Change Program shall also include the following new
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programs:
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1. Defense and security research and development;
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2. Space science and technology;
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3. ICT development, electronics, and artificial intelligence;
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4. Strengthening of research & development and science & technology services
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in the regions through infrastructure and human resource development;
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5. S&T for the creative, tourism, and services industry; and


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6. New and emerging technologies.
Sec. 6. Major Strategies of the Science for Change Program. - The S4CP shall focus 
on the Accelerated R&D Program for Capacity Building of Research and 
Development Institutions and Industrial Competitiveness which is 
composed of four (4) programs, namely:
a. Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER). - The NICER Program shaU be 
implemented to address the region's discrepancies in access to R&D 
funding. Through the program, grants shall be provided to qualified 
higher education institutions (HEIs) in the regions so they can undertake 
quahty research directed to promote regional development with their 
existing capabiHties and resources. A proposed NICER should be a unique 
and collaborative project between HEIs and must be duly endorsed by the 
Regional Development Coimcil (RDC).
b. R&D Leadership Program (RDLead). - The RDLead program shall be 
implemented to help develop and strengthen further the research 
capabiHties of the academe, research, and development institutions (RDIs), 
and other government Hne agencies nationwide. To this end, RDLeaders 
who are local S&T experts with strong leadership and imiovative poHcy 
proficiencies shall be engaged to train, direct, and support R&D goals. 
Academic institutions, RDIs, and other agencies may engage the services of 
an RDLeader through a screening and evaluation process conducted by the 
National Research Council of the PhiHppines (NRCP) based on their 
respective needs and specifications. The NRCP shall be the implementing 
agency of the RDLead Program.
c. Collaborative R&D to Leverage the Economy (CRADLE) for RDIs and Industry. - 
The CRADLE Program shall be implemented to promote technological 
advancement and innovation in local companies and to support the growth 
of the Philippine innovation ecosystem. Through the program, the academe 
or RDI, in partnership with a FiHpino company, shaU undertake research 
and development to improve the company's products, processes, and 
services to become more competitive in their respective industries. To 
ensure that the market commercially utiHzes research outputs from the


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academe, beneficiary companies under this program must provide at least
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twenty percent (20%) counterpart funding and commit to adopting the
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technology their R & D Partner shall develop.
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d. Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) for Industry. - The BIST Program shall
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be implemented by the DOST to provide financial assistance to Filipino
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private companies for the acquisition of strategic and relevant technologies
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so they can undertake their R&D activities. The financial assistance shall be
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used solely for the purchase of high-tech equipment or to secure technology
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hcensing or patent rights and shall be refunded to the DOST without
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interest.
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Sec. 7. Formulation and Submission of the Science for Change Program (S4CP) Plan.
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- The DOST shall formulate the five-year S4CP Plan in coordination with other
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relevant government agencies, including state universities and colleges, and
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representatives from the private sector undertaking R&D. The Secretary of DOST shall
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submit to the President, for approval, the Science for Change Program Plan within
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ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.
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A successor S4CP Plan shall be formulated and submitted to the President for
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approval at least three (3) months prior to the expiration of the existing S4CP Plan.
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Sec. 8. S4CP Program Management Office (PMO). - The Project Management
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Office for the Science for Change Program (PMO-S4CP) shall be created and placed
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under the supervision of the Office of the Secretary of the DOST. The PMO shall
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ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the Science for Change Programs.
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In addition, it shall perform coordinating and Secretariat functions and promote the
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various S4CP programs. The Secretary of the DOST shall formulate the staffing
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pattern of the PMO in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management
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(DBM) and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Civil Service
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Commission.
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Sec. 9. The Harmonized National R&D Agenda. - The DOST shall, in consultation
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with government research institutions and other agencies concerned, formulate a
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Harmonized National R&D Agenda (HNRDA) and a program for technology
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adoption for the government in accordance with the priorities of the Philippine
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Development Plan.


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The proposed HNRDA shall be submitted to the National Innovation Council 
for approval. The DOST shall certify that all the publicly funded R&D projects form 
part of the HNRDA and are included under the aimual General Appropriations Act.
The DOST shaU submit to the DBM, the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, and the President of the Senate of the Philippines, either in printed 
form or by electronic document, a copy of the approved HNRDA. The Secretary of 
Science and Technology and the agency's web administrator or an equivalent officer 
shall ensure that the approved HNRDA is posted on the agency's website.
Sec. 10. Mandatory Adoption of Publicly-Funded Technologies. - All publicly- 
funded and generated technologies, whenever feasible and practicable, shall be 
utihzed by all government entities or instrumentalities. All national 
government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, state 
universities and colleges, and local government units conducting science and 
technology development projects shaU adopt publicly-funded technologies.
Sec. 11. Science for Change Program Fund (S4CPF). - AU donations, contributions, 
grants, bequests, or gifts, in cash or in kind, for the S4CP shaU be placed into a fund to 
be known as the Science for Change Program Fund: Provided, That, acceptance of 
grants, bequests, contiibutions, and donations from foreign governments shaU be 
subject to the approval of the President of the PhUippines, upon recommendation of 
the Secretary of the DOST and the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Sec. 12. Appropriations. - The initial amount for the implementation of this Act 
shaU be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DOST. Thereafter, 
such funds as may be required for the implementation of this Act shall be included in 
the annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 13. Annual Report. - The DOST shaU submit an annual report on 
the implementation of the S4CP to the Office of the President and the Committee on 
Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Sec. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within one hundred eighty (180) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOST shaU formulate rules and regulations 
for its effective implementation.


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Sec. 15. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is
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declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected
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shall remain in full force and effect.
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Sec. 16. Efjectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,