NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
<©ft’tcp of t!);' ;T . -ft.MT
■22 AUG-8 P3.10
SENATE 
s. No. 1109
Ri-CEIVLD BV
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
ADVANCING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION THROUGH A 
HARMONIZED NATIONAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGENDA AND 
MANDATORY ADOPTION OF PUBLICLY FUNDED AND GENERATED 
TECHNOLOGIES IN ALL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES, THEREBY ESTABLISHING 
THE SCIENCE FOR CHANGE PROGRAM (S4CP)
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II Section 17 of the Constitution provides, "The State shall give priority 
to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism 
and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and 
development."
Article XIV Section 10 also states, "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."
With the onset of the New Normal, there is renewed attention to the sciences. 
We relied on the established methods and expertise of scientists on how to navigate 
the unknown territory created by the novel virus and how to immediately recover 
from its ill effects. People adapted new ways of doing things with the help of


emerging technologies and innovation. There was a sudden realization of how 
science, technology, and innovation (STl) sectors were overlooked, if not neglected, 
over the years.
In the updated Philippine Development Plan, a new chapter - Chapter 14: 
Vigorously Advancing STI - was introduced, as it recognized "the need to strengthen 
the country's weak STI ecosystem." The same also proposed the passage of Science 
for Change (S4C) Act with the aim of increasing investments in STI-based start-ups, 
enterprises, and spin-offs, and "advancing the proliferation of demand-driven 
innovation activities that will respond to the demand of the users of technologies."1
This bill seeks to harness STI as an engine for economic recovery post­
pandemic and a driving force for inclusive and sustainable national development. It 
Intends to institute a Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda 
(HNRDA) and expand the existing programs of the Department of Science and 
Technology (DOST) that are targeted to respond to the pressing concerns of the 
country, like food security, disaster risk reduction, enhanced health care service 
delivery.
This legislation is also proposing an accelerated research and development 
program under four major strategies:
1. 
Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER) shall be implemented to 
address the discrepancy in access to R&D funding among the regions.
2. 
R&D Leadership Program (RDLead) shall be implemented to help develop 
and strengthen the research capabilities of the academe, research and 
development institutions (RDIs), and other government line agencies.
3. Collaborative R&D to Leverage the Economy (CRADLE) - Through the 
program, the academe and/or RDI, in partnership with a Filipino 
company, shall undertake research and development to improve the
1 Updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022. https://pdp.neda.gov.ph/wp- 
content/uploads/2021/02/Pre-publication-copv-Updated-PDP-2017-2022.pdf


company's products, processes, and services to become more competitive 
in their respective industries.
4. Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) shall be implemented to provide 
financial assistance to Filipino private companies for the acquisition of 
strategic and relevant technologies so they can undertake their R&D.
This measure was already approved on Third and Final Reading by the House 
of Representatives during the Eighteenth Congress.
The immediate passage of this legislation is earnestly sought.
OY EJERCITO ESTRADA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 110 9
of n.U- 'k<
■22 AUG -8 P3 :10
RECEjVhDBY.
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
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AN ACT
ADVANCING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION THROUGH A 
HARMONIZED NATIONAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGENDA AND 
MANDATORY ADOPTION OF PUBLICLY FUNDED AND GENERATED 
TECHNOLOGIES IN ALL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES, THEREBY ESTABLISHING 
THE SCIENCE FOR CHANGE PROGRAM (S4CP)
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 (S4CP) Act of2022."
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 objectives of this Act are as follows:
a) To achieve a higher standard and more productive outputs of science, 
technology, and innovation (STI) to contribute to the sustainable and 
inclusive development of the economy and society and to the


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improvement of the welfare of the nation and its citizens through 
prescribing the basic policy requirements for the promotion of STI and 
comprehensively and systematically promoting policies for the 
advancement of STI; and,
b) Through research and development, to come up with new products, 
processes and technologies, solve pressing national problems, increase 
productivity, enhance efficiency, improve capability in new and emerging 
technologies, promote the general welfare of the people and attain a 
globally competitive knowledge economy.
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall
mean:
a) 
Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDAan 
outcome-based agenda where all research and development (R&D) 
programs and projects to be funded by the government are envisioned 
to contribute to the attainment of the majority of government's key 
result areas, particularly responding to poverty reduction and 
empowerment of the poor and vulnerable; rapid. Inclusive, and 
sustained economic growth; and Integrity of the environment and 
climate change adaptation and mitigation;
b) 
High-tech Equipment - any equipment using the most advanced and 
developed machines and methods.
c) 
National Innovation Council (NIC) - a policy advisory body, established 
by virtue of the Philippine Innovation Act, mandated to formulate, 
develop, implement and monitor the country's innovation goals, 
priorities, and long-term national strategy.
d) 
Pubiiciy-funded Technology - any technology the development or 
generation of which was funded, in part or In full, using government 
money or resources;
e) 
Research and Development - any systematic and creative work 
undertaken In the physical, natural, mathematical, and applied sciences 
by using methods in order to increase the stock of knowledge in these 
fields to devise new applications;


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f) 
Science, Technology, end Innovetion (STl) — Science is the systematic 
way of acquiring knowledge through observation and experimentation 
whereas technology is the practical application of science. Innovation is 
the creation of new ideas that results to the development of new or 
improved products, processes, or services which are then spread or 
transferred across the market;
g) 
Technology licensing - a mode of technology transfer whereby a licensor 
(technology generator or owner) authorizes a licensee to use the 
technology under certain agreed terms and conditions.
Sec. 5. The Science for Change Program (S4CP) and Utilization Policy 
Framework. -The formulation of the S4CP is anchored on the Harmonized National 
R&D Agenda that is regularly updated based on the needs of the time.
a) In order to achieve the objectives of this Act, the following S&T 
programs of DOST shall be expanded:
I. Health Self Sufficiency and Responsiveness to Public Health 
Emergencies
li. Renewable Energy (RE) Systems & Bioenergy Technologies
iii. Functional Materials for Alternative Energy Sources and Energy 
Conversion and Storage
iv. Nuclear Science for Energy, Health, Agriculture and Industry 
V. Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, and Genomics
vl. Climate and Environment Sciences
vii. Nutrition and Food Security and Safety
viii. Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Productivity
ix. Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Development 
X. Transport Solutions
xi. Industrial/Manufacturing/Mining Productivity
xii. Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation 
xlii. S&T Services for the Production Sector
xiv. Metrology, Calibration and Standards
XV. Technology Transfer and/or Commercialization
xvi. Human Resource Development for STI


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xvii.Nurturing a Culture of Science
b) The following new programs shall also be included in the Science for 
Change Program:
i. 
Defense and Security R&D, modernization of law enforcement and 
military capabilities, air and maritime border control
ii. 
Space Science and Technology
iii. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Development, 
Electronics, Artificial Intelligence, Data Protection and Cybersecurity
iv. Strengthening of R&D and S&T Services in the Regions through 
Infrastructure and Human Resource Development
V. S&T for the Creative Arts and Cultural sectors. Tourism, and Services 
Industries
vi. New and Emerging Technologies
Sec. 6. Major Strategies of the Science for Change Program. - There shall be 
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). - The NICER Program 
shall be implemented to address the discrepancy in access to R&D 
funding among the regions. Through the program, qualified Higher 
Education Institutions (HEIs) in the regions shall be provided with grants 
so they can undertake quality research directed at promoting regional 
development with their existing capabilities and resources. A proposed 
NICER should be unique, a collaborative project between HEIs, and must 
be duly endorsed by the Regional Development Council (RDC) to ensure 
its socio-economic impact in the region.
b) 
R&D Leadership Program (RDLead). - The RDLead program shall be 
implemented to help develop and strengthen further the research 
capabilities of the academe, research and development Institutions 
(RDIs), and other government line agencies nationwide. To this end, 
RDLeaders who are local S&T experts with strong leadership and 
innovative policy proficiencies shall be engaged to train, and direct and 
support their R&D goals. Depending on the R&D needs of the academe.


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RDIs, and line agencies, an RDLeader shall be engaged through 
application, screening, and evaluation by the National Research Council 
of the Philippines (NRCP). NRCP shall be the implementing agency of the 
RDLead Program.
c) 
Collaborative R&D to Leverage the Economy (CRADLE) for RDIs and 
Industry. - The CRADLE Program shall be implemented to enable 
technological advancement and innovation of local companies and to 
support the growth of the Philippine Innovation ecosystem. Through the 
program, the academe and/or RDI, in partnership with a Filipino 
company, shall undertake research and development to improve the 
company's products, processes, and services to become more 
competitive in their respective industries. Beneficiary-companies under 
this program must provide at least 20% counterpart funding and commit 
to adopt the technology that will be developed. This way, research 
outputs from the academe are directly translated commercially to the 
market.
d) 
Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) for Industry. - The BIST 
Program shall be implemented to provide financial assistance to Filipino 
private companies for the acquisition of strategic and relevant 
technologies so they can undertake their R&D. The financial assistance, 
which may only be used to purchase high-tech equipment or to secure 
technology licensing and/or patent rights, shall be refunded to DOST at 
zero percent interest.
Sec. 7. Formulation and Submission of the Science for Change Program 
(S4CP) Plan. -The DOST shall formulate the five-year Science for Change Program 
plan 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 plan for approval within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.
A successor S4CP plan shall be formulated and submitted for approval by the 
President at least three (3) months prior to the expiration of the existing S4CP plan.


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Sec. 8. S4C Program Management Office (PMO). - The Program Management 
Office for the Science for Change Program (PMO-S4CP) shall be created under the 
DOST- Office of the Undersecretary for R&D. The PMO shall ensure the effective and 
efficient implementation of the Science for Change Programs. It shall perform 
coordinating and Secretariat functions required in the accomplishment of the 
program objectives, as well as promote the various programs. The initial staffing 
structure and complement of the PMO shall be submitted by the DOST to the DBM.
Sec. 9. The Harmonized Nationai R&D Agenda. - The DOST, in consultation 
with government research institutions and other agencies concerned, shall formulate 
a Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA) and a program 
for technology adoption for the government. The proposed agenda shall be 
submitted for approval by the National Innovation Council. All publicly funded R&D 
projects. Twenty million pesos (P20,000,000.00) and above, shall be certified by the 
DOST as to alignment with the HNRDA.
The HRNDA 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 
Representatives, and the President of the Senate of the Philippines, either in printed 
form or by electronic document, a copy of the approved HNRDA. The Secretary of 
Science and Technology and the Agency's web administrator or his/her equivalent 
shall be responsible for ensuring that the approved HNRDA is posted on the 
Agency's website.
Sec. 10. Mandatory Adoption of Pubiiciy Funded Technologies. - Mandatory 
adoption of publicly funded and generated technologies whenever feasible and 
practicable shall strictly be Implemented by all government entities and 
instrumentalities. All national government agencies (NGAs), government-owned-and- 
controlled corporations (GOCCs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local 
government units (LGUs) performing science and technology development projects 
shall adopt publicly-funded technologies.
Sec. 11. Science for Change Program Fund (S4CPF). - There is hereby 
created the Science for Change Program Fund to be used exclusively for the 
implementation of the projects and activities under the S4CP. The S4CPF shall be


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administered by the DOST in accordance with existing government budgeting, 
accounting and auditing rules and regulations. The S4CPF shall be sourced from the 
following:
a) 
The Initial amount of Ten billion pesos (PIO,000,000,000.00) to be taken 
from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) and other funds/savings from 
GAA of the preceding year, in case the GAA is approved before this law 
is enacted. The yearly budget for Science for Change Program shall 
double yearly until it reaches 2% of the Government Appropriations Act 
(GAA) budget. Such amount shall be released to the DOST after the 
effectivity of this Act;
b) 
Royalty income produced under the S4CP; and
c) 
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 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 loan agreements with foreign 
financial institutions.
Sec. 12. Appropriations. - The sum of Ten billion pesos 
(PhP10,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated as initial operating fund for the 
projects and activities under the S4CP. Thereafter, the amount needed for the 
operation of the SCP shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 13. Annual Report. - The DOST shall annually submit a report on the 
implementation of the S4CP to the Office of the President and to the Committee on 
Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 
Philippines.
Sec. 14. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act Is declared invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remaining provision not affected thereby shall continue to be 
In full force and effect.


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Sec. 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders or regulations or part
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thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 16. EffectMty. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the
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completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or In a national newspaper of
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general circulation.
Approved,