TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL 29 P2:12
SENATE
s. No. 764
Ri'.CEIV'.: ■ a
Introduced by Senator Bam Aquino
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING REGIONAL RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND INNOVATION 
COMMITTEES (RRDICS) TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL INNOVATION 
ECOSYSTEMS AND IMPLEMENT REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11293, OR THE 
PHILIPPINE INNOVATION ACT, AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act No. 11293, the "Philippine Innovation Act," was a landmark piece 
of legislation that established a national framework for innovation, creating the 
National Innovation Council (NIC) and mandating the formulation of a National 
Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document (NIASD). While this law provides the 
essential top-down strategic direction, its success ultimately hinges on effective, on- 
the-ground implementation that is responsive to the unique economic landscapes of 
our diverse regions.
To this end, various regions, through their Regional Development Councils 
(RDCs), have established Regional Research, Development, and Innovation 
Committees (RRDICs). These committees, built on a dynamic "quadruple helix" 
partnership between government, industry, academia, and enabling partners, have 
proven to be an effective model for coordinating resources, fostering collaboration, 
and driving market-oriented innovation. However, these bodies currently operate 
under the varying resolutions of RDCs, lacking the institutional permanence, dedicated 
funding, and a unified national mandate required for long-term sustainability and 
impact. Furthermore, translating innovation into economic productivity requires a 
highly skilled technical workforce, a role championed by the Technical Education and 
Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
This proposed measure seeks to bridge the gap between national strategy and 
regional execution. It formally institutionalizes the RRDICs as the primary 
implementing and coordinating arm of the Philippine Innovation Act in every region. 
It creates a formal, uniform governance structure and a dedicated secretariat for each 
RRDIC, ensuring broad stakeholder participation and operational capacity. 
Furthermore, it guarantees a dedicated portion of the National Innovation Fund for 
regional initiatives, establishes a direct feedback mechanism from the regions to the


National Innovation Council, and explicitly links the innovation agenda to the skills 
development mandate of TESDA.
By enacting this law, we will transform a successful regional model into a 
permanent, nationwide institutional framework, thereby decentralizing innovation, 
empowering our regions, and ensuring that the goals of the Philippine Innovation Act 
are translated into tangible economic growth and development for all Filipinos.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
.Ofr. f* of i.i ■
25 JUL 29 P2:12
SENATE
s. No. V64
Ri;cE;vrjb-
Introduced by Senator Bam Aquino
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING REGIONAL RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND INNOVATION 
COMMITTEES (RRDICS) TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL INNOVATION 
ECOSYSTEMS AND IMPLEMENT REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11293, OR THE 
PHILIPPINE INNOVATION ACT, AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL
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 "Regional Innovation 
Ecosystem Development Act of 2025."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to foster a 
culture of innovation that is inclusive, decentralized, and deeply embedded in the 
economic fabric of every region. Building upon the framework of Republic Act No. 
11293, the State shall establish and strengthen the Regional Research, Development, 
and Innovation Committee (RRDIC) in each region as the primary platform for 
coordinating, developing, and implementing innovation strategies that are market- 
oriented and responsive to regional needs and potentials. The State further recognizes 
that a globally competitive innovation ecosystem requires a highly skilled technical 
workforce.
Sec. 3. Institutionalization of Regional Research, Development, and Innovation 
Committees (RRDICs). - There is hereby established a Regional Research, 
Development, and Innovation Committee (RRDIC) in each administrative region of the 
country, which shall function as a special committee under the Regional Development 
Council (RDC). The RRDIC shall be the primary institutional mechanism for 
implementing the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document (NIASD) at the


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regional level. It shall function as a multi-stakeholder platform based on the quadruple
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helix model of collaboration among government, industry, academia, and the broader
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community of enablers.
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Sec. 4. Composition of the Regional Research, Development, and Innovation
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Committee (RRDIC). - Each RRDIC shall be composed of the following:
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(a) Chairperson. - The Regional Director of the Department of Science and
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Technology (DOST);
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(b) Government Representatives. - The Regional Directors of the Department
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of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDEV), the Department of Trade and
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Industry (DTI), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical
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Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA);
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(c) Private Sector Representatives. - At least five (5) representatives from the
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private sector, appointed by the Co-Chairpersons upon recommendation from major
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industry associations and chambers of commerce in the region. At least one (1)
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representative must come from the MSME sector.
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(d) Academe Representatives. - At least three (3) representatives from the
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academe, to be composed of presidents or chancellors of leading public and private
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higher education institutions (HEIs) in the region.
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Sec. 5. The RRDIC Secretariat. - Each Regional Research, Development, and
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Innovation Committee shall be assisted by a permanent Secretariat which shall be
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established in and hosted by the respective Regional Office of the Department of
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Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDEV), consistent with its role as Secretariat
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for the Regional Development Council. The Secretariat shall be headed by a Head of
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Secretariat with the rank of at least a Division Chief, who shall be appointed by the
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RRDIC Co-Chairpersons upon the recommendation of the DEPDEV Regional Director.
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The RRDIC Secretariat shall have the following powers and functions:


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(a) Provide technical and administrative support to the RRDIC and its members,
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including the preparation of meeting agendas, minutes, resolutions, and reports;
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(b) Coordinate the formulation, monitoring, and updating of the Regional
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Innovation Agenda and Strategy (RIAS);
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(c) Act as the central communication channel and repository of all documents,
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data, and information pertaining to the RRDIC's activities;
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(d) Coordinate and liaise with national government agencies, local government
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units, industry associations, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to ensure
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the effective implementation of the RIAS;
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(e) Organize public consultations, workshops, and other stakeholder
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engagement activities on behalf of the RRDIC; and
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(f) Perform such other functions as may be directed by the RRDIC.
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Sec. 6. Powers and Functions of the RRDIC. - The RRDIC shall have the
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following powers and functions:
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(a) Formulate and endorse a five-year Regional Innovation Agenda and
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Strategy (RIAS) that is aligned with the NIASD and the Regional Development Plan,
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and tailored to the region's specific economic strengths, challenges, and priorities;
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(b) Act as the central coordinating body for all innovation-related programs,
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projects, and resources from national and local government agencies within the region
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to prevent duplication and maximize synergy;
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(c) Identify and endorse regional innovation projects for funding under the
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National Innovation Fund and other available funding sources;
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(d) Facilitate and promote technology transfer, commercialization of research,
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and the creation of startups within the region;


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(e) Collaborate with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
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(TESDA) to align regional technical-vocational education and training (TVET) programs
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and skills development initiatives with the innovation priorities and workforce
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requirements identified in the RIAS;
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(0 Submit an annual report on the state of the regional innovation ecosystem
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and the implementation of the RIAS to the National Innovation Council (NIC) and the
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Regional Development Council (RDC).
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Sec. 7. Appropriations. -The amount necessary to implement the provisions of
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this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the Department
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of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev). Thereafter, such amounts as may
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be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the
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annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).
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Sec. 8. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within ninety (90) days from
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the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development
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(DEPDEV) in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST),
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and in consultation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Commission
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on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development
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Authority (TESDA) shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the
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effective implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in
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full force and effect.
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Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
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regulations, and other issuances inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
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modified accordingly.
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Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,