SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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*16 JUL21 P2:37
SENATE
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
AN ACT
GRANTING FREE TERTIARY EDUCATION TO THE TOP FIVE PERCENT (5%) 
GRADUATES OF PUBLIC SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOLS PURSUING A DEGREE IN THE 
FIELD OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MATHEMATICS AND ENGINEERING
Explanatory Note
Educators and economists assert that science, technology and innovation can be significant 
determinants and drivers of economic development, educational advancements and environmental 
protection, among others. It also allows the country to move forward through improvements in 
technology, adaptive of particular needs and situations1. Thus, advancements in science and 
technology are highly regarded and given importance.
According to the 2015-2016 Global Competitiveness Report, the Philippines ranks 33rd out 
of 140 economies evaluated in Capacity for Innovation, 67th in the Availability of Scientists and 
Engineers, 69th in the Quality of Scientific Research Institutions, and 59th in Government 
Procurement of Advanced Technology Products.2 This affirms that the state of science, 
technology, and innovation in our country lags behind world standards.
This poor state of science and technology in the country may be attributed to the few 
science graduates, scientists produced and the government’s low budget allocation for research 
and development (R&D). Data from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) show 
that in 2013, there are only 11,421 research and development personnel in the public sector3 while 
data from the Commission on Higher Education show that only 75,734 or 11.6% of the total higher 
education graduates for school year 2014-2015 are in the engineering and technology, 
mathematics, and natural science disciplines4.
This low number of scientists and engineers can be a result of the tendency of our 
educational system to produce non-technical graduates in the tertiary level. The predicament in job 
mismatch arises from the great industry demand for technical and engineering-related skills while 
students flock to non-technical courses.5
This situation continues to prevail despite the number of scholarship programs being 
offered in tertiary education for students who wish to pursue courses in science, mathematics and 
engineering. At present, the Science Education Institute of the Department of Science and 
Technology (DOST-SEI) through Republic Act No. 7687 or the Science and Technology 
Scholarship Act of 19946 and the Merit Scholarship program provide opportunities to talented and
1 Science and Technology in National Economic Recovery and Growth, Dr. Antonio Arizabal 
htlp://dirp4.pids.gov.ph/ris/drn/pidsdm87-6.pdf
2 The Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016, World Economic Forum
3 The public sector is comprised of government and public higher education institutions.
Secondary source of data: 2015 Philippine Statistical Yearbook
4 Primary Source: CHED; Secondary Source: 2015 Philippine Statistical Yearbook
5 Research and Development and Technology in the Philippines, Caesar Cororaton 
http://dirp4.pids.gov.ph/ris/books/pidsbk03-ppstechnology.pdf
6 This program is expanded by Republic Act No. 10612 or the Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013.