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Republic of the Philippines iS RECEIVED
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |/ DATE August 6, 2025
Quezon City os TIME 3:46 pm
e. BY
20th CONGRESS <5.
First Regular Session Wp INDEX

HOUSE BILL No, 3294

Introduced by REP. JUAN CARLOS “ARJO” C. ATAYDE

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE SCIENCE FOR CHANGE PROGRAM

EXPLANATORY NOTE

One of the key State policies, as stated in Article Il Section 17 of the
Constitution, provides that “the State shall give priority to science, technology and
innovation to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total
human liberation and development.” Thus, “the State shall give priority to research and
development, invention, innovation, and their utilization” .

We live in a fast-paced technological era when failing to adopt can result to
massive social and economic losses. Truly, French philosopher Jacques Ellul is on
point when he stated that “modern technology has become a total phenomenon for
civilization, the defining force of a new social order in which efficiency is no longer an option
but a necessity imposed on all human activity.” In order to remain competitive in this
modern world, there is definitely a need to think new and do new.

While a number of studies have established a strong link between research and
development (R&D) and economic prosperity, a study conducted by the Philippine
Institute for Development Studies indicates that R&D gaps are still among the causes
of poor productivity performance in the Philippines.



Recognizing therefore the critical role of R&D in our country’s development,
the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has launched the Harmonized
National Research and Development R&D Agenda 2017-2022, with emphasis on the
importance of collaborative research among stakeholders in the government,
industry, and the academe to leverage growth in the Philippine economy through the
Science for Change Program.

This proposed piece of legislation thus aims to institutionalize DOST’s Science
for Change Program in order achieve a higher standard in the field of science and
technology, to contribute to the development of the economy and society and to the
improvement of the welfare of the nation through prescribing the basic policy
requirements for the promotion of science and technology (S&T) and
comprehensively and systematically promoting policies for the progress of S&T.

‘Among the R&D agenda by which the formulation of the Science for Change
Program shall be anchored on include, but not limited to addressing pressing
problems, boosting productivity, applying new technologies across sectors. The
passage of this bill will address the national and sectoral gaps in R&D, including

budget, manpower, and inefficiency in institutional arrangement.

It is for this reason that the early passage of this bill js earnestly sought.

REP. JUAN CAI IS “ARJO” C. ATAYDE


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

20th CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3294

Introduced by REP. JUAN CARLOS “ARJO” C. ATAYDE

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE SCIENCE FOR CHANGE PROGRAM

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

assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Science for Change
Program (SCP) Act of 2022.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy - The State shall give priority to science, technology
and innovation to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and
promote total human liberation and development.” It recognizes that “Science and
technology are essential for national development and progress.” Thus, “the State
shall give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and their
utilization”. It shall likewise give priority 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.”

SEC. 3. Objectives. - The objective of this law is to achieve a higher standard of
science and technology, to contribute to the development of the economy and society

and to the improvement of the welfare of the nation through prescribing the basic


1 policy requirements for the promotion of science and technology (S&T) and

2 comprehensively and systematically promoting policies for the progress of S&T.

In order to achieve this objective, the following S&T programs of DOST shall

3
4 beexpanded:
5 a. Health Self Sufficiency
6 1. Drug discovery and development;
7 2. Diagnostics development;
8 3. Biomedical engineering
9 b. Renewable Energy
10 1. Solar;
“4 2. Ocean;
12 3. Wind;
13 4. Hydro;
14 5. Biomass;
15 6. Energy Storage
16 c Nuclear Science for Energy, Health, Agriculture and Industry
7 d. Climate and Environment Sciences
18 1. Disaster risk reduction; Resilience in different sectors;
19 2. Models downscaled to specific locations
20 e. Food and Nutrition
24 1. Innovative Food Products;
22 2. Affordable nutrition intervention;
23 3. Focus on first 1000 days of the young
24 f. Agricultural Productivity
25 1. Farm mechanization;
26 2. High-yielding varieties;
27 3. Novel farming methods;
28 4. Disease prevention and control
29 g- Biotechnology for Industry, Agriculture, Health and Environment


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Technology Business Incubation
Foreign scholarships for STI

Promotion of Culture of Science

The following new programs shall also be included in the Science for Change

Program.

d.

e

Human Security R&D
Strengthening of R&D and S&T Services in the Regions through
Infrastructure (R&D Centers), facilities, HRD and R&D funding,

Space Technology and ICT Development

1. New satellites (Apo, Mayon and Makiling after Diwata);

2. Rural communications (digital inclusion)

S&T for Creative Industries, Tourism Industry and Services Industry
Artificial Intelligence: From HRD to R&D to Industry.

SEC. 4. The Science for Change Program (SCP) and Utilization Policy Framework. -
‘The formulation of the SCP is anchored on the following Research and Development
(R&D) Agenda:

L R&D to Address Pressing Problems

a.

Health Self Sufficiency
1. Drug Discovery and Development
2. Diagnostics Development
3. Biomedical Engineering
4, Early Detection of Disease Outbreak
5. Malnutrition Reduction Program
Food and Nutrition
1. Innovative Food Products
2. Complementary Foods
3. Affordable Nutrition Intervention

>

. Focus on First 1000 Days of the Young

3


g

Priority Agricultural Commodities (Crops, Livestock, Poultry, Marine
Resources, Inland Aquatic Resources, etc.)
1. Reinvigorating the Philippine Coconut Industry through Coconut
Somatic Embryogenesis Technology (CSET)
2. Varietal Improvement of Philippine Native Chicken, Ducks and Pigs
3, Varietal Improvement for Important Export Commodities
4. Disease Prevention and Intervention for Abaca, Banana, Coconut
and Papaya
5, Increasing Crop Resilience to Environmental Stresses
Biodiversity and Sustainable Development
1. Conservation of Select Indigenous Forest Tree Species in Forest
Reserve
2. Mangrove Rehabilitation and Management
Coastal Sustainable Development / Ocean-Atmosphere Interaction
Research Program
‘Transport and Mobility
1. Environmentally-sustainable Technology Alternatives for Public
Utility Vehicles
2. Intelligent Transport System (ITS)
3. Small Interisland Transport
National Security and Human Security

I. R&D for Productivity

Technology Support for Agricultural Productivity
1. Farm Mechanization

2. Varietal Improvement

3. Novel Farming Methods

4. Disease Prevention and Control

Technology Support for _Industrial/MManufacturing/Mining
Productivity


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c.

1. Production of Gums, Resins and Oils from Local Plants Using New
Technologies

2. Green Chemistry Products and Technologies

3. R&D in Support of the Philippine Metals Industry

4. Responsible Mining Technologies and Processes for extraction and
product development for copper, nickel, iron, gold and chromite
including Service Facilities for Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining

5, Electronics Products Design and Development

S&T for the Creative Industries, Tourism Industry and Services Industry

R&D to Tap, Manage and Store Renewable Energy Resources

Renewable Energy Production

1. Solar

2. Wind

3. Hydro

4. Biomass

5. Ocean

Energy Storage

1. Engineering Design, Modeling, Assessment Tools and Development
of Renewable Energy Systems

2. Fabrication of Solid-State Rechargeable Batteries and Super
capacitors

R&D to Apply New Technologies Across Sectors

b.

°

Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Genomics, ICT and Nuclear Science
(for agriculture, industry, energy, health and environment)

Artificial Intelligence

Space Technology

Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change

Full implementation of the PAGASA Modernization Law


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b. Improvement of Weather, Climate and Flood Forecasting/Warning and

Other Related Activities
1. Development of Flood/Hazard/Resource Vulnerability Maps

Development of Flood Forecasting Model for Major River Basin

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Development of Radar Software and Hardware

_ Development of Tropical Cyclone Forecasting Tools for

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Deterministic or Consensus TC Forecast

Climate Monitoring and Prediction System (CLIMPS)

Severe Weather Forecasting and Warning,

‘Automation of Flood Early Warning System

‘Advanced Data Collection, Enhancement of Web and Dissemination
including Mirror Forecasting

Technical Advisory Services for Geologic and Geophysical Phenomena
1. Development of Real-time Physico-chemical Monitoring Network
2. Ground Deformation Monitoring and R&D of Active Volcanoes
3. Fault Finder App

Disaster Preparedness
1, Improvement of Weather Prediction and Information for Disaster

Prevention

Nv

. Volcano, Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Preparedness and Risk
Reduction
3. ReliefOps. Ph - a multi-stage and multi-user decision support
system for disaster preparedness and response
4, Municipal Level Risk Assessment and Incident Reporting and
Visualization
5. Development of Spatial Models for Comprehensive Land Use
Planning
6. Best practices for environmental planning, structural and
architectural designs and guidelines for residential structures and

evacuation centers.


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VIII.

7. Enhancing Cytogenetic Biological Dosimetry Capabilities of the
Philippines for Nuclear Incident Preparedness
8. Establishment of Real-time Environmental Radiation Monitoring
System
9. Emergency Food Development
10, Emergency Shelter Development
Maximize Utilization of R&D Results Through Technology Transfer and/or
Commercialization
Inter-department Collaborations to roll out new beneficial technologies.
£ Commerciable Technologies to the Private Industry Sector

a.

b. Promotion ot
Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST)

d. Disaster Risk Management
1. Turnover of Flood/Hazard/Resource Vulnerability Maps to LGUs
2. Deployment of Early Warning Systems in Disaster-Prone Areas
3. Deployment of Weather Monitoring Device

Accelerated R&D Program for Capacity Building of Research and
Development Institutions and Industrial Competitiveness

a. Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER)

b. R&D Leadership Program (RDLead)

¢. Collaborative R&D to Leverage PH Economy (CRADLE) for RDIs and
Industry
d. Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) for Industry

Assistance to the Production Sector

a. One Lab / Metrology, Calibration and Testing - Networking of
Laboratories

b. One Expert ~ for S&T Services

© One Store ~ to assist in on-line marketing of technology-based products
Packaging and Labeling Program

p

. Food Innovation Centers Program


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Xx.

XL.

Food Safety and Quality Program
Machine and Equipment Development
Technology Assistance to Traditional / Indigenous Industries

Upgrading of Facilities and Improvement of S&T Services (Strengthening of

R&D and S&T Services in the Regions through Infrastructure, facilities, HRD

and R&D funding)

a.
b.
c.
d.

Technology Business Incubation Program
Product Development Centers

Materials and Products Testing Facilities
Research Centers in the Regions

Disaster Risk Reduction Facilities

Human Resource Development for Science and Technology

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Foreign scholarships for PhD Scholars in S&T

PHD by research

MD/PAD scholarships

Expanded MS/PhD S&T Scholarships

Expanded Undergraduate S&T Scholarships for Inclusive Development
Expanded Secondary Level Scholarships at Philippine Science High
School

Innovative modalities for the delivery of HR interventions

Promotion of Culture of Science

Science and Technology Education for Ordinary Citizens

Capacitate and Utilize Institutions in the Regions - SUCs who do R&D and

Develop Human Resources in S&T

a.

b.

S&T Regional Alliance of Universities for Inclusive National
Development (STRAND)

Science Teacher Academy for the Regions (STAR)

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c. _ Strengthening of Research Centers in Universities in the Regions

XII. Collaboration with industry, academe and international institutions
a. Industry-Academe-Government Collaboration in R&D (Co-

laboratories)
b. International S&T Collaborations

SEC. 5. Formulation and Submission of the Science for Change Program (SCP). - The
DOST shall formulate the five-year Science for Change Program in coordination with
other relevant government agencies including State Universities and Colleges and
representatives from the private sector undertaking R&D. The Secretary of DOST shall
submit to the President the Science for Change Program for approval within ninety
(90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 6. Mandatory Adaptation of Publicly Funded Technologies by National
government Agencies (NGAs) and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)- Mandatory
adaptation of publicly funded and generated technologies whenever feasible and
practicable, shall strictly be implemented by all government entities or
instrumentalities utilizing public funds for any purpose. All national government
agencies (NGAs), government-owned-and controlled corporations (GOCCS), state
universities and colleges (SUCs), and local government agencies (LGUs) performing
science and technology initiatives are mandated to help develop and implement

critical and strategic technology development projects and adopt government funded
locally developed technologies.

For this purpose, all Research and Development (R&D) activities performed by
NGAs, GOCCs, SUCs and LGUs under their respective mandates shall be under the
control and supervision of the Department of Science and Technology.

The DOST, in consultation with government research institutions and other

agencies concerned, shall prepare a harmonized national research and development


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agenda for the government covering all major research and development programs
and projects or those costing Twenty Million Pesos (P20,000,000.00) and above. The
proposed agenda shall be submitted for approval by the Director General of NEDA.

‘The Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda shall be directly

related to the priorities under the Philippine Development Plan.

The DOST shall submit to the DBM, the Speaker of the House of the
Representatives and the President of the Senate of the Philippines, either in printed
form or by way of electronic document, a copy of the approved Harmonized National
Research and Development Agenda. The Secretary of Science and Technology and the
Agency's web administrator or his/her equivalent shall be responsible for ensuring
that the approved Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda is
posted on the Agency's website.”

SEC. 7. Science for Change Program Fund (SCPF). - There is hereby created the
Science for Change Program Fund to be used exclusively for the implementation of
the projects and activities under the SCP. The SCPF shall be administered by DOST in
accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and

regulations. Science for Change Program Fund shall be sourced from the following:

a) The initial amount of twenty-one Billion pesos (P 21,000,000,000.00) to be
taken from the General Appropriation Act (GAA) and other utilized funds
/ savings from GAA of the preceding year, in case the GAA was approval
before this law is enacted. The yearly budget for Science for Change
Program shall double yearly for the next four (4) years. Such amount shall
be released to the DOST after the effectivity of this Act.

b) Income produced by the SCP.

°)

Loans, contributions, grants, bequests, gifts, and donations whether from
local or foreign sources, Provided, That acceptance of grants, bequests,
contributions and donations from foreign governments shall be subject to

the approval of the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary of

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the DOST and Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The
Secretary of DOST with the approval of the NEDA and subsequently the
Department of Finance (DOF) is hereby granted the authority to enter into
Joan agreements with foreign financial institutions. Said fund obtained from
various source shall be utilized from the different components of the
program.
SEC. 8 Appropriations. - The sum of Twenty-one Billion Pesos (PHP
21,000, 000,000.00) is hereby appropriated as initial operating fund for the projects and
activities under the SCP, taken from the current fiscal year’s appropriation of the
Office of the President. Thereafter, the amount needed for the operation of the SCP

shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Annual Report, - The DOST shall annually submit a report on the
implementation of the SCP to the Office of the President and to the Committees on

Science and Technology in both Chambers of Congress.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The DOST shall formulate the
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the effective implementation of this
‘Act within one hundred eighty (180) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - Any portion or provision of this Act that is
declared unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or

provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions can still subsist and be given
effect in their entirety.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, other
issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following

its publication in the official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

1