SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES .) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 1776 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
Explanatory Note 
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OCT -2 P5 :39 
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 situationsl . Thus, advancements in 
science and technology are highly regarded and given importance. 
According to the 2012-2013 ,Global Competitiveness Report, the Philippines ranks 86th 
out of 144 economies evaluated in Capacity for Innovation, 91 st in the Availability of Scientists 
and Engineers, 102nd in the Quality of Scientific Research Institutions, and 107th in Government 
Procurement of Advanced Technology Products? 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 tlie government' s'low budget allocation for research' 
and development (R&D). Data from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) show 
that in 2005, there are only 5,982 scientists and engineers in the public sector3 while data from 
the Commission on Higher Education show that only 63,069 or 12.1% of the total higher 
education graduates for school year 2012-2013 are in the engineering and technology, 
mathematics, and natural science disciplines. 
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,4 
This condition 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 19945 and the Merit Scholarship program provide opportunities to talented 
and deserving students who wish to pursue higher education in priority science and technology 
fields. These programs aim to produce and develop high quality human resources who will man 
the Science and Technology and R&D efforts in the country. 
I Science and Technology in National Economic Recovery and Growth, Dr. Antonio Arizabal 
http://dirp4.pids.gov.ph/ris/drn/pidsdrn87-6.pdJ 
2 The Global Competitiveness Report 2012-2013, World Economic Forum 
3 The public sector is comprised of government and public higher education institutions. 
Secondary source of data: 2012 Philippine Statistical Yearbook 
4 Research and Development and Technology in the Philippines, Caesar Cororaton 
http://dirp4.pids.gQv.ph/ris/books/pidsbk03-ppstechno!ogy.pdJ 
5 This program is expanded by Republic Act No. 10612 or the Fast-Tracked S&T SCholarship Act of2013. 


Similarly, special science curricula being offered by science high schools aim to expose 
Filipino students in the field of science at an early stage. Currently, there are 17 regional science 
high schools, 198 science and technology-oriented high schools with Engineering and Science 
Education Program (ESEP) classes, 468 science high schools created through Acts of Congress 
and 11 DOST-recognized schools under the Philippine Science High School System, or a total of 
694 high schools offering special science curricula. Students enrolled in these science high " 
schools are given additional and advanced trainings in the fields of science and mathematics as 
compared to those in regular high schools, and at par with the level of instruction in higher 
education. 
. "  
. 
It is thus fitting to provide opportumtles for these science high school students to 
continue their science education preparations to higher learning. This bill, therefore, seeks to 
further expand the coverage of S&T scholarship programs by providing free tertiary education in 
state universities and colleges to the top 5% graduates of public science high schools provided 
they pursue degrees in S&T, mathematics, and engineering. This proposal not only encourages 
students to further enrich and develop their expertise in math and sciences, but also rewards them 
for their exceptional knowledge in these fields. 
With this measure, it is hoped that a bigger pool of Filipino scientists is produced and that 
they, being precious contributors in nation-building, will be able to boost the country's 
competence in the sciences. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
RA 
o 
/EJCY 
, " 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Ralph O. Recto 
AN ACT 
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'13 
OCT -2 P5 :39 
RECEIVI':D BY: .r 
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 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Libreng Kolehiyo Para sa Batang 
2 
Siyentipiko Act of 2013". 
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote 
4 
the development of the country's science and technology manpower in line with economic 
5 
development and, to provide the capability required in the areas of research, development, 
6 
innovation as well as their utilization. As such, it shall provide for free tertiary education to the 
7 
top graduates of science high schools to enable them to pursue higher education in the field of 
8 
science and technology. 
9 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, the following terms shall be 
10 
defined as follows: 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
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(a) 
Scholarship Grantee shall refer to a student who is: 
i. 
a member of the top five percent (5%) of the graduate class of a 
public science high school; 
ii. 
enrolled at any of the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs); and 
iii. 
pursuing an undergraduate course in the field of science, 
mathematics, engineering, and such other areas as may be provided 
for in the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Science 
Education Institute of the Department of Science and Technology 
(DOST -SEll, in coordination with the Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED); 
(b) 
Public Science High School shall refer to any of the following: 
i. 
DepEd-recognized Science H{gh School shall 'refer to Regional 
Science High Schools (RSHS), and Engineering and Science 
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1 
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Education Program (ESEP) classes III Science and Technology-
oriented High Schools; 
II. 
DOST-recognized Science High School shall refer to the schools 
under the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System of the 
DOST; and 
iii. 
Legislated Science High School shall refer to science high schools 
7 
,created under Acts of Congress; 
8 
SEC. 4. Scholarship Program. - This Act builds on the current expanded Science and 
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Technology Scholarships offered by the DOST-SE1, as provided for in Republic Act No. 7687 
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otherwise known as the "Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994", and Republic Act 
11 
No. 10612 otherwise known as the "Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of2013". 
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The scholarship grantee under this Act is entitled to financial assistance which includes 
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tuition and other school fees: Provided, That the grantee maintains a regular academic status and 
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a good scholastic standing in every svmester or term. 
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SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial implementation of 
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this Act, shall be charged against the current appropriations of the DOST-SEI. Thereafter, such 
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sums as may be necessary to implement the scholarship program shall be included in the annual 
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General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 6. Implementing Body. - The scholarship program herein provided shall be directly 
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implemented by the DOST-SEI. 
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SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the approval 
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of this Act, the DOST -SEI and the CHED shall promulgate the rules and regulations to 
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effectively implement the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
25 
invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and 
26 
effect. 
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SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, issuances, circulars, rules and regulations or 
28 
pacts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
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modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
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the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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