Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3172

Introduced by Honorable ABRAHAM “BAMBOL” N. TOLENTINO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article 14, Section 10 of the Constitution provides that:

“Science and Technology are essential for national development
and progress. The State shall give priority to research and
development, invention, innovation, and their utilization; and 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.”

This Constitutional provision highlights the prime importance of Research and
Development (R&D) in the economic development of a nation. R&D plays a crucial role
in the development of different fields such as science and technology, business, and
agriculture. It allows for the prospering of knowledge and innovation which then gives
way to new products, goods, and services that are relevant to various aspects of life.
With this said, it plays a critical role in the development of society.


Although those in the R&D field in the Philippines aspire to make the country a
home for high-end R&D, the field is mostly underappreciated. Moreover, there is a low
number of researchers in the field which results to a low number of graduates in the
fields of science, technology, and engineering in which R&D usually flourishes.

In light of this, this bill seeks to create the Research and Development Support
Committee which shall be established under the Office of the President. It shall be

responsible for reviewing regulations affecting research and research universities.

Approval of the bill is earnestly sought.

CWIMU


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL nodl??

Introduced by Honorable ABRAHAM N. TOLENTINO

AN ACT TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF
NATIONAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
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 “Research and
Development Efficiency Act.”
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It shall be the policy of the State to ensure
that all efforts towards research and development shall be efficient and effective.
Sec. 3. Research and Development Audit Committee. — There shall be
established under the Office of the President a Research and Development Support
Committee (RDSC) who shall be responsible for reviewing regulations affecting
research and research universities and making recommendations on how to:
a. harmonize, streamline and eliminate duplicative regulations and reporting
requirements; and
b. minimize the regulatory burden on institutions of higher education
performing government funded research while maintaining accountability
for expenditures.
Sec. 4. Stakeholder Input. — In carrying out the responsibilities under
Section 3, the RDSC shall take into account input and recommendations from


stakeholders, including national and local government funded researchers,
institutions of higher education, scientific disciplinary societies and associations,
nonprofit research institutions, industry, including small businesses, government
funded research and development centers, and others with a stake in ensuring
effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability in the performance of scientific research.

Sec. 5. Report. — Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act,
and annually thereafter for 3 years, the Director shall report to the appropriate
committees in the Senate and the House of Representatives on what steps have
been taken to carry out the recommendations of the working group established
under Section 3.

Sec. 6. Term. — The term of RDSC shall be three (3) years.

Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary
to or inconsistent with this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended
accordingly.

Sec. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Adopted,