NINETEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIG OF THE PHILIPPINES
Firsf Regu/ar Sess,bn
)
)
)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
lntroduced bv Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
House Bill No. _
EXPLANATORY NOTE
lndustry participation in the trarning of Science and Technology (S&T) labor force is
urgently needed to boost the economy of country-side Philippines where under-employment
statistics exceeds the national average of twenty percent (20%). Graduates of public higher
education institutions must possess the skills and competencies required by their industrial
prospective employers and/or by the business techno-preneurial environment. Full
employment and/or engagement in entrepreneurial activities is an effective means to reduce
poverty incidence in the country and to break the vicious cycle of poverty in Philippine
countryside. The lndustry-Academe Technological Park is a strategic response to this call.
The Techno-Park is lodged with the University of Science and Technology of Southern
Philippines (USTP) under Republic Act 109'19.
Access to quality public higher education for the poor remains concentrated in the
National Capital Region whilst statistics showthatthe highest poverty incidence is in Mindanao
and Southern Philippines. This is ironic since those living under the poverty threshold are
precisely the ones who are economically unable to further their education in Manila and the
National Capital Region. Relevance of public higher education and training is an issue that
directly impacts unemployment and underemployment. The industrial employers perennially
complain of the mismatch in the skills and competencies learned from Universities and the
skill requirements in the actual workplace.
The establishment of USTP responds to this fundamental problem of .iob-generation
and economic productivity for the underprivileged sector of the Philippine society particularly
in Mindanao through the Techno-Parks strategy. To realize this goal, the Techno-Parks
located in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental and Claveria, Misamis Oriental need to be developed to
attract industry locators to these parks. Likewise, it is deemed important that these
developments be in accordance with sustainable and inclusive growth. The initial development
phase of the Techno-Parks requires resources that can be provided by the State as an
investment. Thereafter, the Techno-Parks can sustain their operations independent of state
subsidy.
ln view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested.
RUF
B,R
GUEZ
July 6, 2022
5:53 pm
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
)
)
)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
lntroduced by Re p resentative R uf us B. Rodriguez
House Bill No.
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE TECHNO.PARKS DEVELOPMENT FUND (TPDF) FOR THE
UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES (USTSP),
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Section '1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the TECHNO-PARKS DEVELOPMENT
FUND (TPDF) of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines.
Sectlon 2. Declaration of Policy. -lt is the declared policy of the State to establish, maintain,
and support a complete, adequate and integrated system of higher education relevant to the
needs of the people and society, with primary focus on research and development for science
and technology through partnership with the industries.
Section 3. General Mandate. - The TPDF is hereby established to ensure the sustainable
partnership with the industry locators in the Technological Parks of the University of Science
and Technology of Southem Philippines for efficient and effective delivery of higher education
and training.
Section 4. Creation ofthe Techno-Parks Development Fund. The Techno-Parks Development
Fund is hereby established with an initial funding of Four Billion Pesos (PhP4,000,000,000.00)
and subsequent allocations of One Billion Pesos (PhPl ,000,000,000.00) per year for the next
five years. The required funding shall be sourced out of:
1% of the proceeds of the PAGCOR;
1% of the travel tax collection;
'l % ofthe value-added taxes collected from the sale of petroleum and petroleum-based
products.
Seventy five percent (75o/o\ ot the initial funding shall be used for site preparations of the
Techno-Parks of USTSP to make them attractive to industry locators. Thereafter, only 15%
shall be used to cover the costs of operations of the Techno-Parks while the remaining 8570
shall be invested through a duly recognized Government Financial lnstitution (GFl). Interests
and proceeds from the operations of the Techno-Parks shall form part ofthe Fund"
Section 5. Administration of the Fund. - There shall be created a TPDF Secretariat to be
headed by a Fund Director with the rank of a Director lll who shall report directly to the
University President. The TPDF Secretariat shall be budgeiarily and administratively separate
from the University. Secretariat. Staff underthe Fund Director shall have expertise in the fields
of financial investment, accounting, and financial analysis. The University Board of Regents
shall appoint members of the Secretariat through the recommendation of the University
President.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines ln Congress
assembled:
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Section 6. Duties and Responsibilities of the Fund Secretariat. The Secretariat shall have the
following duties and responsibilities:
a. Prepare and recommend a Long-Term lnvestment Plan for the Fund;
b. Prepare and recommend an Annual lnvestment Plan for the Fund;
c. Prepare and recommend a Long-Term Lease Agreement between any industry
locator and the University;
d. Coordinate with appropriate agencies of the Government for the collection of
funds due to the Techno-Parks of USTSP;
e. Provide Secretariat and logistical support to the lndustry-Academe Council as
provided for under RA 10919;
f. Ensure the availability of fund support for the operations of the Techno-Parks
for higher education and training including, but not limited to, research and
scientific track system for the faculty of the University.
Section 7. Repealing Clause. -All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations and
other issuances, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 8. Separabilry Clause. - lf any part or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, or other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.
Section 9. Effectivity- - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days afrer its publication in at
least one (1) nationat newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,