Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
1464

House Bill No.

Introduced by: Hon. Divina Grace C. Yu

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Executive Order No. 128, series of 1987 established the Department of Science and
‘Technology as the premier science and technology agency in the. country charged with the
mandate of providing central direction, leadership, and coordination of all science and
technology activities in the country and formulating science and technology policies,
programs and projects in support to the national development.

In order to accelerate the application and transfer of benefits of modern science and
technology to the people, the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) was
created under Republic Act No. 6595, as an arm of the DOST in disseminating transfer
technologies and provide technological support services for the development of small and
medium enterprises in the rural areas. For almost three (3) decades, the PSTCs has been
supervised by a rank and file employee with a rank of Senior Science Specialist with Salary
Grade (SG) 19 and supported by two (2) - three (3) plantilla staff.

Nonetheless, despite the lack of necessary resources, the PSTCs were able to deliver
Science and Technology (S&T) services in their respective jurisdictions empowering and
capacitating local communities with technology and by providing them with the
appropriate skills and technical innovations that can aid in the development of their
communities,


Unfortunately, the DOST is lagging behind from other National Government Agencies
(NGAs) in terms of the human resources complement of their respective provincial
offices, which in said NGAs, are headed bya Provincial Director at SG 26. While the DOST
recognized the impact RA 6959 had in the rural areas, they believe that it is high time that
said law be amended in order to strengthen the existing PSTCs by converting these into
Provincial S&T Offices per Civil Service Commission/Department Budget and
Management Index of Occupational Services (10S), thereby enable them to empower
more local communities through a more efficient delivery of Science and Technology
Innovation.

‘The bill seeks the improvement and strengthen the PSTCs in order that their mandate of
providing S&T Innovations in the rural areas will create more sustainable sources of

livelihood to more Filipino families.

It is for this reasons that immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

DIVINA \CE C. YU
1ST, istrict,Zamboanga del Sur


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Republic of the Philippines
RESENTATIVES,
Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1464

House Bill No.

Introduced by: Hon, Divina Grace C. Yu

AN ACT UPGRADING THE POSITION OF THE PROVINCIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
OFFICER INTO THE PROVINCIAL SCIENCE DIRECTOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6959, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Provincial Science and Technology
Directors Act.”

SEC. 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.

Pursuant to this policy, the Provincial Centers of the Department of Science and
Technology which is the principal instruments of technology transfer and development of

technology based enterprises of the government in the rural areas are upgraded through this
Act.

SEC. 3. Provincial S&T Directors. — The position of the Office of the Provincial Science
and Technology Officers headed by a Senior Science Research Specialist shall be upgraded to
the rank of Provincial Science and Technology Directors in each province under the
Department of Science and Technology with a Salary Grade of twenty-seven (27). The
Provincial Science and Technology Director shall have the following duties and
responsibilities:

(a) Formulate the Provincial S&T plan, programs, and projects designed to promote
science ad consciousness among the people in the province;

(b) Implement and monitor the technology promotion and commercialization
projects under the Small and Medium enterprises technology. Upgrading Program
(SETUP) of the DOST in the provinces;


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

{d) Disseminate S&T related information and R&D results through the conduct of
trainings;

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

(f) Coordinate with 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 manpower-base in the province;

(g) Coordinate with the public and private organizations in the implementation of
manpower and institutional development programs in the province;

(h) Act as focal person for the inter-agency meetings, conferences, and other
coordinative activities in the province;

(i) Responsible for the over-all supervision of services and operations of the PSTC;

(i) Ensure that the quality management system is properly implemented and
maintained in accordance with ISO 9001-2008 standard in all aspects of operations
of the PSTC; and

(k) Perform other related functions as may be assigned by higher authorities from
time to time.

SEC. 4. Qualifications of the 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 commensurate to the upgraded position of
the Provincial Science and Technology Director at Salary Grade twenty-seven (27). The current
PSTO holding the position for more than 20 years, shall have preference in the selection for
Provincial Science and Technology Director position.

SEC. 5. Remuneration and other Benefits of the Provincial Director. —The
remuneration of the Provincial Science and Technology Director shall be equivalent to that of
the same Salary Grade twenty-seven (27) in the government service and shall be entitled to
reimbursable representation and transportation allowance commensurate to his office and
other benefits as prescribed by law.

SEC. 6. Staff of the Provincial Science and Technology Office. — There shall be a
minimum of six (6) technical staff of the Provincial Science and Technology Office in addition
to the Provincial Director and in addition of one non-technical officer. The DOST shall
determine the level of these positions, provided that prescribed qualifications shall be in
accordance with Civil Service laws and regulations.


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SEC. 7. Funding. — For the funding support for the implementation of this Act, the
Department of Budget and Management will provide appropriation for this Act. The funds
needed for the continuous operation of the various offices established under this Act shall be
included in the annual appropriations of the Department of Science and Technology.

All fees and charges collected as a result of S&T services rendered by the PSTOs such
as, but not limited to, metrological work and calibration services shall be used by the PSTOs
in the enhancement of their capabilities and in the maintenance of their equipment and
facilities.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Science and Technology, and other relevant
government agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. —Should any provision herein be declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. —This Act repeals or modifies accordingly pertinent
Provisions of Sections 2, 3, and 4 of Republic Act No. 6959 and any law, decree, order, rule,
and regulation, executive order, proclamation, or other issuances or parts inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

SEC. 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,