Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. £409

Introduced by HON. RESURRECCION MARRERO-ACOP, MD

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Enshrined in our 1987 Constitution is the policy that the State shall
regulate the transfer and promote the adaptation of technology from all
sources for the national benefit. It shall encourage the widest participation of
private groups, local government, and community-based organizations in the
generation and utilization of science and technology.

Executive Order No. 128, Series of 1987 established the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) as the premier science and technology agency
in the country charged with the mandate of providing central direction,
leadership, and coordination of all science and technology activities in the
country and formulating science and technology policies, programs and
projects in support to the national development.

In order to accelerate the application and transfer of benefits of modern
science and technology to the people, the Provincial Science and Technology
Center (PSTC) was created under Republic Act No. 6959, as an arm of the
DOST in the dissemination and transfer of technologies and to provide
technological support services for the development of micro, small and
medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the rural areas.

For almost three decades, each PSTC has been supervised by a rank
and file employee only, holding a position of Senior Science Research
Specialist with Salary Grade (SG 19) and supported by merely two to three
plantilla staffs.

Nonetheless, despite the lack of necessary resources, the PSTCs were
able to deliver science and technology programs, projects and services in their
respective jurisdictions. Further, the PSCTCs empowered and capacitated the
MSMEs and local communities with technology by providing them with the
appropriate skills and technical innovations that can aid in the development
of their businesses and communities.


Accordingly, this measure seeks to convert the provincial science and
technology centers to provincial science and technology offices and upgrade
the rank of the present heads to the rank of provincial science and technology
directors with SG 26.

‘This office will serve as a gateway of opportunities that will deliver

overall growth throughout the province in coordination with the different
provincial offices and its local government units.

As a channel for economic advancement, this proposed legislation
seeks to address the lack if not difficulty in rural areas of modernized living
through a culture of productive technology because a community of brimming
invention is a catalyst to be competitive in a global setting.

Thus, I am enjoining my colleagues for the earnest passage of this Bill.

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HON. RES NN MARRERO-ACOP, MD

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 6409

Introduced by HON. RESURRECCION MARRERO-ACOP, MD

AN ACT
CONVERTING THE PROVINCIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER
INTO PROVINCIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OFFICE IN EVERY
PROVINCE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 Office Act of 2019.”

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
(PSTCs) 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 to be converted to a
“Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO)” through this Act.

SEC. 3. Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTCs).- The
Provincial Science and Technology Offices (PSTOs) established in all regions
shall have the following functions:

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; and


c.

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

SEC. 4. Provincial S&T Directors. - The present heads of the PSTCs
with designation of Provincial Science and Technology Officers and position
title of Senior Science Research Specialist, with Salary Grade Nineteen (SG-19)
shall be upgraded to the rank of Provincial Science and Technology Directors,
with Salary Grade Twenty Six (SG-26) under the DOST; Provided, further, 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 technology culture among the people in the
province, consistent with and supportive to the national and regional
development S&T plans;

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

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;

Disseminate S&T related information and R&D results through the
conduct of trainings, symposia and/or other similar fora;

Maintain effective liaison with the public and private academic
institutions and other government agencies engaged in scientific and
technological research, education, and training;

Coordinate with 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;

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

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

Be responsible for the over-all supervision and fiscal management of
services and operations of the PSTO;

Ensure that the quality of operational management system is
properly implemented and maintained in accordance with ISO


quality management standards;

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

1. When applicable, designate from existing faculty and staff of the
university, nominated by the head of the institution, the personnel of
the office; Provided, however, that he may designate others who
possesses the necessary professional and/or technical qualifications
and aptitude to work efficiently with the various sectors of the
community;

m. Enter into agreements with the heads of the colleges or universities
designated as offices, which may include matters of reporting and
payment of honoraria to members of their faculty and staff; and

n. Perform other related functions as may be assigned by higher
authorities from time to time.

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-Six
(SG-26). The current Head of the PSTC holding the position for more than 20
years, shall be automatically included in the selection for Provincial Science
and Technology Director position; provided that, the incumbent has all the
qualifications, and none of the disqualifications as may be applicable.

SEC. 6. Remuneration and Other Benefits of the Provincial S&T
Director. - The remuneration of the Provincial Science and Technology
Director shall be equivalent to that of the same Salary Grade Twenty-Six (SG-
26) 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 Office. — The
PSTOs shall have at least Five (5) plantilla positions. The need for additional
staff shall be determined by the Provincial S&T Director based on the
population of the province. The DOST shall determine the level of these
positions, provided that the prescribed qualifications shall be in accordance
with civil service laws and regulations.

SEC. 8. Funding. - 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 Regulation. - Within ninety (90)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOST, in consultation with concerned
agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and


regulations for the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions hereof which are not
affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive
orders, rules and regulations, or any part thereof inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of
general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,