Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no,_6670_

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

“With the advance of basic science, society advances”
— L Rafael Reif, MIT President

Science and Technology personnel, researchers, scientists, & engineers play a key
role in government. Most goverment programs rely on the validity of research
pooled by these civil servants not only in defining their goals, but also in identifying
areas to improve on and planning subsequent steps to achieving goals. However,
these civil servants are often given little to no attention despite the importance of
their work. Currently, the working condition for research and the sciences is not
encouraging. Scientific studies in the Philippines are regularly slowed by red tape.
For instance, the Bureau of Customs is notorious in the Philippine scientific
community for inadvertently delaying release of important equipment."

The lack of support for and unnecessary restrictions to the scientific community
resulted in many seeking greener pastures elsewhere. Even up to now, brain drain
and the Philippine diaspora are undeniable features of the Philippine economy with
both positive and negative outcomes. In a United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 2013 report, the Philippines only has 139 science
& technology researchers per 1 million inhabitants. This statistic is especially
troubling since the UNESCO standard is 380 researchers per 1 million people?

Hence, there is an ample need to support scientists, researchers, engineers and the
like. The government must incentivize their position within civil service to better the
scientific sector in the country.

The Republic Act No. 8439 also known as the “Magna Carta for Scientists,
Engineers, Researchers, and other Science and Technology (S&T) Personnel in the
government” was enacted on December 1997. It was put to law in recognition of

* Panela S, “5 things to make Philippines a Better Place for Scientists,” Rappler, 28 May 2017
2 Ibid.


Science and Technology's essential role in the country’s progress and continuing
development.

In recognition of the role scientists, this refiled version of the Magna Carta for
Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other S&T Personnel in the Philippines
proposes the following amendments:

a. Remove the limitations on additional salary and honoraria for S & T personnel
and;

b. Allow S & T personnel not employed but involved in STA (Scientific and
Technological Activities) to apply for benefits on certain conditions.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Luis ff \Y” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Queson City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

House BILL No,_66'70

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8439, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE "MAGNA CARTA FOR SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS, RESEARCHERS
AND OTHER S & T PERSONNEL IN THE GOVERNMENT"

SECTION 1. Section 1 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta for Scientists,
Engineers, Researchers and other S & T Personnel in the PHILIPPINES"

SECTION. 2. Section 6 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Section 6. Salaries. - The existing law on salary scale of government employees
shall not apply in determining the salary scale of science and technology personnel
as defined in Section 5 of this Act. A new salary scale shall be developed by the
Department in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management and the
Civil Service Commission, subject to the approval o f the President. IN ADDITION,
THERE WILL BE NO SET LIMIT TO THE AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL SALARY OR
HONORARIA THAT SCIENTISTS CAN RECEIVE AS COMPENSATION FROM
INTERNALLY OR EXTERNALLY FUNDED GRANTS-IN-AID, PROVIDED THIS IS
PART OF A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BUDGET FROM THE FUNDING AGENCY
AND DOES NOT ENTAIL ADDITIONAL USUAL EXPENSE TO THE
GOVERNMENT."

SECTION. 3. Section 8 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 8. Non-DOST S & T personnel. - S & T personnel not employed by the
Department, who are involved in STA may avail of the benefits under this Act upon
certification of the HEAD OF THEIR AGENCY THAT THEY ARE INVOLVED IN
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OR OTHER SCIENTIFIC AND
TECHNOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES.”

SECTION. 4. Section 16 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 16. Hiring of retired scientists and technical personnel. - An employee
retired under any existing law, who, in the judgment of the governing board or head


of a research agency, possesses technical qualifications and the capability to
undertake specific scientific research activities, may be rehired on contractual basis
without refunding the unexpired portion of the gratuity and accumulated leave
benefits received by him from the Government: Provided, That no qualified science
and technology expert is available to undertake said scientific activities.

THE SERVICES OF A SCIENTIST WHO IS DUE FOR COMPULSORY
RETIREMENT MAY BE EXTENDED FOR A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF FIVE (5)
YEARS: PROVIDED, THAT THE RESEARCH PROJECT IS WITHIN THE
PRIORITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS OF THE DOST AND IS.
IDENTIFIED AS STRATEGIC TO THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AS CERTIFIED
BY THE DOST SECRETARY; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE SCIENTIST IS
STILL MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY FIT TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT;
PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT THE REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF SERVICES
SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL
AT LEAST THREE (3) MONTHS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE COMPULSORY
RETIREMENT OF THE SCIENTIST.

SERVICES RENDERED DURING THE PERIOD OF EXTENSION SHALL BE
CREDITED AS PART OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE, AND SUCH EXTENSION
SHALL ENTITLE THE EMPLOYEE TO LEAVE CREDITS AND OTHER BENEFITS."

SECTION. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall remain valid and effective.

SECTION. 6. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 8439 is hereby amended. 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. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,