Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO7058

Introduced by HON. CARLITO “Lito” S. MARQUEZ
Lone District, Aklan

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks 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 in order to bridge the gap between the
highly-urbanized cities and provinces by strengthening the provincial
science and technology centers in the country.

The need to spur the country’s global competitiveness, the
Department of Science and Technology has been attuned in
formulating and adopting a comprehensive National Science and
Technology Plan to promote, assist and undertake appropriate
scientific and technological research and development in areas
identified as vital to the country’s development. Through this bill, the
Provincial Science and Technology Centers of the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) which are the principal instruments
of technology transfer and development of technology-based
enterprises of the government in the rural areas are upgraded.

True to its advocacy, the DOST is exploring all avenues to reach
out to the people through the “science for the people” approach to
address the basic services to the people in the rural areas in the
grassroots level.

As a paragon, in our home Province of Aklan, it is a haven to
consider as there are a lot of investment potential in the province.
Sectors and factors that could drive Aklan’s growth are anchored on
its vast natural resources wherein apt scientific and technological


research could be undertaken. Aklan is definitely heading in the right
direction and undoubtedly has the potential to become one of the
country’s major business hubs in the near term. The speedy passage
of this piece of legislation will accelerate the progress in the provinces
like Aklan to be at par with the highly-urbanized cities in the country.
Other provinces will follow suit as feasibly spirited if this DOST’s NST
plan will be implemented.

In view of the foregoing considerations, immediate approval of

this measure is sought.

HON. CARLITO “Lito” S. MARQUEZ


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7058

Introduced by HON. CARLITO “Lito” S. MARQUEZ
Lone District, Aklan

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE PROVINCIAL SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY CENTERS OF 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 Centers Act of 2018.”

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 Science and Technology
Centers of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which
are 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 Science and Technology Centers (PSTCs).
— The Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTCs)
established in all regions were created by virtue of Republic Act No.
6959 shall but not limited to other functions, as determined by the
DOST Secretary or by law:


a.) Identify the needs and opportunities in science and technology
(S&T) in the provinces;

b.)Implement DOST programs and projects on technology
promotion and transfer, S&T human resource development,
S&T promotion and information dissemination, delivery of
technical and consultancy services, and such other areas of
concern that will benefit the people in the provinces;

c.) Develop institutional linkages with provincial offices of other
departments, local government units, academe and non-
governmental offices for the effective implementation of S&T
programs in the province.

SEC. 4. Provincial S&T Directors. - The present PSTC heads
with designation of Provincial Science and Technology Officer and
position title of Senior Research Specialist, with salary grade of
nineteen (SG 19) shall be upgraded to the rank of Provincial
Science and Technology Directors in each province under the
DOST with a salary grade of twenty-seven (SG-27).

Further, Provided, That 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 and culture among the people in
the province, consistent with and supportive to the regional
and national development S&T plans; consistent with and
supportive to the regional and national development S&T
Plans;

(b)Implement and monitor the technology promotion, transfer
and commercialization of projects of the DOST in the
provinces;

(c)Promote the adoption of the appropriate technologies by
micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to improve
operational efficiency and increase productivity 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, symposia and/or other
similar fora;

(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 local government units (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 human
resource in the province;

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

(h)Represent DOST in the inter-agency meetings, conferences,
and other coordinative activities in the province;

(i) Responsible for the overall supervision and fiscal
management of services and operations of the PSTC;

(j) Ensure that the quality management system is properly
implemented and maintained in accordance with ISO quality
management standards in all aspects of operations of the
PSTC;

(k)Enter into lawful contract, memorandum of agreement and
other instruments including the right to sue and be sued;
and

() Perform other related functions as may be assigned by higher
authorities.

SEC. 5. 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 and eligibility
requirements commensurate to the upgraded position of the
Provincial Science and Technology Director at salary grade twenty-
seven (SG 27). The current head of the PSTC holding the position for
more than twenty (20) years, shall automatically be included in the
selection for Provincial Science and Technology Director position:
Provided, That the incumbent has met and complied with all the
requirements.

SEC. 6. 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. 7. Staff of the Provincial Science and Technology
Center. Aside from the PSTC Director, PSTCs shall have at least ten
(10) plantilla staff. The DOST shall determine the level of these
positions, provided that prescribed qualifications shall be in
accordance with existing Civil Service laws and regulations.


SEC. 8. Use of Funds. All fees and charges collected as a result
of S&T services rendered by the PSTCs is not limited only to
metrological work, testing and calibration services shall be used by
the PSTCs in the enhancement of PSTCs capabilities, development of
human resource and in the maintenance of their equipment and
facilities.

SEC. 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out
the provisions of this Act shall be included in the budget of the DOST
under the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The DOST, in
consultation with concerned agencies and stakeholders, shall
promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within
ninety (90) days from effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act shall
be held unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not
otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees,
executive orders, ordinances, rules and regulations, and other
issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act, are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of
general circulation.

Approved,