TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. No.
)
SENATE
908
left
'*65r#Kt!&ffi«y of tUc
25 AUG-5 P2:17
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
REQUIRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FULLY EQUIPPED SCIENCE 
LABORATORIES IN EVERY PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill aims to enhance the teaching and education of students in public 
elementary and secondary schools in the country through the construction of more 
science laboratories. This is one of the practical interventions to the low scores of 
Filipino students in math and science assessment.
The Philippines last participated in the Trends in International Mathematics and 
Science Study (TIMSS) by the International Association for the Evaluation of 
Educational Achievement (lEA) in 2019 where it fared worst among fifty-eight 
countries in an evaluation for Grade 4 students.1 The report said: "In science, 13 
percent of Filipino students were in the low benchmark, indicating, 'Students show 
limited understanding of scientific concepts and limited knowledge of foundational 
science facts'... only 1 percent of Filipino students are in the high benchmark while 5 
percent are in the intermediate."
1 "PH ranks last among 58 countries in Grade 4 math, science: study." December 9, 2020. https://news.abs- 
cbn.eom/news/12/09/20/ph-ranks-last-amone-58-countries-in-erade-4-math-science-studv


The Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Industry, 
Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), who 
introduced VISSER2 which was designed in order to put modern science laboratories 
in every school and college, also recognized the lack of laboratories in many schools 
throughout the country: "Out of approximately 13,000 high schools across the 
Philippines, more than 4,500 have no access to a designated (and working) laboratory 
for their students. On the other hand, from the fraction which have working 
laboratories, around 2,800 have no access to newer, digital tools."3
While lectures and class discussions are important teaching methods, hands-on 
and immersive learning experience prove useful and effective in allowing students to 
better appreciate new concepts and ideas. Science laboratories are also instrumental 
in helping students develop skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, 
resourcefulness, reasoning, and analysis - which are all basic and essential capacities 
that every child needs. Lastly, such facilities can serve as playgrounds for our students 
wherein they can build and nurture interest in science and all its related fields at an 
early age, which is also strategic move in readying the younger generation for a 
science and technology-driven future.
The immediate passage of this legislation is earnestly sought.
INGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
2 Versatile Instrumentation System for Science Education and Research (VISSER) is a research-grade laboratory 
system developed by researchers from the University of the Philippines. It is a handheld device that serves as a 
hub for various sensors that can be used to perform experiments in various fields of science.
3 http://proiects.pcieerd.dost.eov.ph/technology-profile/3


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. 9Q8
Senate
of ti;c
25 AUG -5 P2 '17
RtCElVEDBV:
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
REQUIRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FULLY EQUIPPED SCIENCE 
LABORATORIES IN EVERY PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Science Laboratory for
2 
Basic Education Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to give
4 
priority to scientific and technological efforts vital to national development. It has been
5 
proven that industrialization can be achieved if schools adopt modern methods of
6 
teaching science and technology during the early stages of education.
7 
Furthermore, the Constitution provides that the right of teachers to professional
8 
advancement should be enhanced. With this mandate, quality education shall be
9 
ensured.
10 
Sec. 3. Objectives. - This Act aims to attain the following objectives within the
11 
period of five (5) years.
12 
1) To improve the quality of science and technology education in the country;
13 
2) To provide basic and advance S&T education in high school, respectively in
14 
preparation for higher education;
15 
3) To teach the students the effective use and operation of modern laboratory
16 
equipment and facility related to science and technology; and


1 
4) To train S&T teachers the use of modern laboratory equipment so that they
2 
will be more effective in demonstrating their uses.
3 
Sec. 4. Funding Source. - In addition to the funds to be provided by the
4 
Legislature, this Act shall receive funding support from the following:
5 
a) Twenty percent (20%) share from the gross proceeds of travel tax
6 
collections over and above the share of the National government therefrom;
7 
b) Twenty percent (20%) share from the net income of the Philippine Games
8 
and Amusement Corporation (PAGCOR) over and above the franchise tax
9 
and the corporate income tax therefrom.
10 
Sec. 5. Incentives. - Incentives shall be given to the following:
11 
a) Tax Incentives shall be given to private entities engaging in S&T
12 
development;
13 
b) Private schools who shall import laboratory equipment/facilities for the
14 
exclusive use in their school shall be given a twenty percent (20%) tax
15 
deduction from the total revenue obligations;
16 
c) Private entities engaged in the manufacture of laboratory equipment
17 
needed in public schools shall be given 
a three percent (3%) tax
18 
incentive/deduction from the importation of raw materials.
19 
Sec. 6. Proposed System. - This Act shall provide the following:
20 
1) Construction of laboratory buildings;
21 
2) Provide required laboratory equipment and facilities;
22 
3) Continuous development and updating of standards for facilities;
23 
4) Strengthen partnership between public and private institutions in promoting
24 
science and technology;
25 
5) Strengthen the coordination between the Regional Science and Technology
26 
Teaching Centers (RSTCs) and the Department of Education regional Offices
27 
in monitoring / utilization of laboratory equipment;
28 
6) Train math and science teachers the proper use, repair and maintenance of
29 
the laboratory facilities and equipment;
30 
7) Create required laboratory technician positions at least for every elementary
31 
and secondary schools for the operation, repair and maintenance of the
32 
laboratory equipment (or alternative scheme of maintenance) and facilities;


1 
8) The number of laboratory rooms/facilities per school shall be determined by
2 
science and technology experts of DOST; and
3 
9) The building, plans and design shall be drawn and approved by DOST-SEI.
4 
Sec. 7. Disposition of Funds. - The Fund shall be utilized for the construction
5 
of school laboratories including equipment / facilities and the creation of required
6 
positions of a technician in every public elementary and high schools throughout the
7 
country.
8 
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Science
9 
Education Institute (SEI) in coordination with the regional offices of DepEd and the
10 
RSTCs shall implement the program. The above-mentioned offices shall also monitor
11 
the utilization and maintenance of the equipment.
12 
Sec. 8. Impiementation. -The implementation of the activities of this Act shall
13 
be undertaken by SEI in coordination with the RSTCs-and DepEd Regional Offices.
14 
The maximum number of pupil/students in every laboratory class must not
15 
exceed fifty (50) and there must be at least one laboratory room for every forty-five
16 
(45) pupils / students.
17 
Sec. 9. Separabiiity Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
18 
unconstitutional, the remaining provision not affected thereby shall continue to be in
19 
full force and effect.
20 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders or regulations or part
21 
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
22 
Sec. 11 . Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the
23 
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of
24 
general circulation.
Approved,