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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S. No. 
6% 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VELAR JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Science and Technology are key factors for all national development efforts and progress. 
An effective technological human capability is essential to a nation desirous of attaining 
industrialized country status. 
Science and Technology development, however, is not simply a matter of training more 
scientists or establishing high technology companies. Perhaps more important than these physical 
manifestations of technological progress is the development of a strong science culture that 
would enhance productivity and be reflective of the national attitude towards S&T. 
While the Philippine educational system admittedly plays a major role in the evolution 
and development of this national attitude, the Science for the Masses Program is equally 
important in developing a culture of science among the Filipino citizenry. 
This bill, as its title indicates; intends to strengthen the science and technology 
popularization program through the establishment of the Philippine Science Centrum as the 
National Science and Technology Learning CenterMuseum, a recognized institution the world 
over in attaining our vision and mission. It shall be the focal point of the Science for the Masses 
Program under Education for all and be the center for community S&T education, information, 
and communication among the youth and the general population. It shall have the following 
major components: 
Youth Development 
Science Communication and Outreach 
Continuing R&D Programs 
Interactive Exhibit Development Program 
S&T for the Masses Program 
External-Internal Linkage and Networking Program 
Establishment of Regional Area Science and Technology Centrums 
Resource Generation Program 
Manpower Capability Building Program 
These components of the program are meant to serve as additional venues for the 
dissemination, demonstration, and popularization of various S&T concepts and researches. Since 
the intention of the program is to reach out to the masses across different sectors, the use of 
various media approaches and educational strategies is also encouraged Thus, the bill also 
proposes the granting of incentives to media and private organizations engaged in science and 
technology popularization activities. With the approval of this measure, we hope to provide the 


needed impetus to boost the fruition of our dream of a truly S&T-conscious Filipino nation. 
n 
MANUEL B. V LAR, JR. 
e 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
. S. No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 
POPULARIZATION PROGRAM THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE 
PHILIPPINE SCIENCE CENTRUM AS THE NATIONAL SCIENCE AND 
TECHNOLOGY LEARNING CENTER/MUSEUM AND PROVIDING 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 Philippine Science Centrum (PSC) Act 
of 2004. 
Sec.2 Declaration of Policy. It is hereby the policy of the State that Science and 
Technology (S&T) are essential to industrialization, national development and progress. To 
implement this policy, the State shall: 
a) Support indigenous and appropriate scientific and technological capabilities and their 
application to the country’s productive system and national life; 
b) Encourage and support private sector initiative, continuing active participation, and 
contributions towards national science and technology objectives so that entire 
resources can be harnessed to achieve faster and greater results for the benefit of the 
Filipino people; 
c) Promote the adaptation .of appropriate technology for national benefit. It shall 
encourage the widest participation of private groups, local governments and 
community-based organization in the generation and utilization of S & T; and 


d) Encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems as well as self- 
learning, independent and out-o€-school study programs particularly those that 
respond to community needs. 
Sec 3. Objectives. In implementing the foregoing policy, the State shall pursue the 
following objectives in active coordination and cooperation with the private sector: 
a) Recognize and support the Philippine Science Centrum as the institutionalized venue 
for the popularization of S & T through its establishment as the National Science and 
Technology Learning Center/Museum; 
b) Recognize and support established and operational Regional Area Science and 
Technology Centrum; and 
c) Rationalize the establishment of Regional Area Science and Technology Centrwns in 
the different provinces and regions of the country. 
Sec 4 . Definition of terms. 
a) Philippine Science Centrum (PSC) - the first interactive science center/museum in the 
country which features interactive science exhibits on S & T principles and concepts. 
b) Regional Area Science and Technology Centrum (RSTC) - refers to small-scale 
versions of the PSC in the regions and provinces. These RSTCs cater to regional 
populations and are operated by the private sector in close coordination with local 
governments or DOST Regional Offices. 
Sec 5, Description of Program Components. The Philippine Science Centrum shall have 
the following components and programs: 
a) Youth Development Program. This program shall be designed to reach out to the youth 
sector and educate them on science; technology, and society (STS) and consequently consider 
careers in these disciplines. Whenever possible, it must be the national local point of youth- 
oriented projects and activities. The program shall provide the venue for youth science 
completions, training, research, apprenticeship and the like; 
b) Science Communication and Outreach Program. The program shall be the venue for 
information banking, access and dissemination of popular S & T principles and concepts utilizing 


various media approaches, educational strategies, workshops and seminars, and traveling 
exhibitions. The program intends to reach out to the masses across all ages and sectors; 
c) Continuing research and Development R & D Program. This program shall be 
designed to undertake researches on the impact of popular S & T, especially on the new 
technologies, new programs on S & T popularization and other related activities. The program 
shall also design studies as impact indicators in relation to human and social changes both 
national and regional concerns; 
d) Interactive Exhibit Development Program. The PSC Program shall have as its primary 
objective the popularization of science through the development of galleries of centers for the 
participatory display of interactive hands on exhibits that demonstrate the principles of science 
and the innovation of applied technology. These exhibits should be the innovation of applied 
technology. These exhibits should be manipulative and especially created to achieve maximum 
cognition of S & T concepts through amusement, game-playing and aesthetic approaches. These 
interactive exhibits shall be complemented by science educational programs and activities. 
e) Science and Technology for the Masses. This program under the Education for all 
framework shall create an environment that would facilitate the acceptance and utilization of S & 
T to improve the quality of life of the population through access to basic S & T knowledge, skills 
attitudes and values. With PSC Program as its focal point, the program is designed to provide 
effective outreach to adults and out-of-school youth who have little or no access to sources of 
scientific information and knowledge, the students who need to enhance the scientific culture / 
literacy for productivity. It aims to expandshntensify population of S & T through science 
communication, research development and training, and S & T outreach. 
f) External-Internal Linkage and Networking Program This program shall be designed to 
establish linkages with international S & T organizations in order to keep abreast with the trends 
and directions of S & T consciousness programs, science museology and educational 
programming. This would then promote the exchange of insights, skills and expertise in S & T 
popularization. 


g) Establishment of regional Area Science and Technology Centrums. Local networking 
shall also be encouraged through the development of existing Regional Area Science and 
Technology Centrums and the establishment of the same in the different regions and provinces. It 
aims to extend the benefits of the program nationwide. 
h) Resource Generation Program. This program shall be designed to encourage private 
and public sector partnership in the formulation of fund generation schemes for the development 
and implementation of S & T popularization programs and activities. 
i) Manpower Capability Building Program. This program shall designed to develop 
expertise and train personnel and staff needed to effectively implement the S & T popularization 
programs. It aims to develop S & T programs, projects and activities for the publics awareness, 
understanding and involvement in S & T. 
Sec 6. Philippine Science Centrum Program Coordinating Committee. There is hereby 
created a coordinating Committee to oversee the implementation of the Philippine Science 
Centrum act to be oversee the implementation of the Philippine Science Centrum Act to be 
composed of one representative each for the department of Science and technology (DOST), 
Department of Education and, Culture and Sports ( DECS), Department of Interior and Local 
Government (DILG) and Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology (PFST). In addition, 
a designed representative from established and operational Regional Area Science and 
Technology Centrums shall be included in the Committee. This Committee shall be chaired by 
the Secretary of DOST. 
Sec. 7. Support Mechanism. The Philippine Science Centrum shall be granted the 
following for the development, maintenance and operation of science centrum programs: (a) a 
two (2) hectare land at the institutional Area of the Bonifacio Global City; and (b) funds for 
infrastructure development as governed by Sec 10 of this Act. Programs and plans for the 
utilization of the support mechanism shall be based on the priorities and guidelines formulated by 
the Philippine Science Centrum Coordinating Committee. 
Sec 8. Incentives to Privates Organizations, Associations and Foundations. Any non- 
profit, non-stock private organizations, association or foundations engaged in the development, 


maintenance and operation of science centrum programs registered as such with the Department 
of Science and Technology shall be entitled to the following incentives; 
a) Any donation, contribution, bequest, subsidy or financial aid given to said private 
organizations, association or foundations, solely for the purpose of the science centrum program 
shall constitute allowable deductions in full from the income of donors or givers for income tax 
purposes. 
b) Upon recommendation of the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology 
subject to approval of the Secretary of Finance, all importation made by said private 
organizations, associations, or foundation for the science centrum program shall be exempted 
from import duties and taxes. 
Sec. 9. Science and Technology Media Popularization Program. All media groups 
participating in this program setting aside print space, air and broadcast time shall be entitled to 
tax incentives, as provided by Section 6 (a) of this Act. 
Sec. 10 Funding. The government contribution to carry out the PSC Program shall be in 
the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter. 
For the first two (2) years of the effectivity of the Act, as initial funds for the 
infrastructure requirements of established and operational science centrums, an annual amount of 
two Hundred Fifty Million Pesos (Php 250 M) shall be appropriated to the Department of science 
and Technology, of which Two Hundred Million Pesos (PhP 200 M) per year shall be allocated 
for the Philippine Science Centrum. The remaining Fifty Million Pesos (PhP 50 M) per year, 
shall be divided equally among established and operational Regional Science and Technology 
Centrums. 
Thereafter, One Hundred Million Pesos (PhP 100 M) shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriation Act of the DOST for the maintenance, operations and implementation of 
program components of the science centrums, any shortfall of which shall be generated from 
contributions made by the Philippine Amusement and Gaining Corporation and the Philippine 
Charity Sweeptakes Office. Of the above amount, Seventy million Pesos (PhF’ 70 M) shall be 


allocated for the Philippine Science Centrum and Thirty Million Pesos (PhP 30 M) shall be 
divided equally among established and operational Regional Science and Technology Centrums. 
Sec 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of Science and 
Technology, in consultation in the Philippine Science Centrum Coordinating Committee, shall 
formulate the Implementing Rules and Regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
Sec 12. Separability Clause. If for any reason any provision of this Act is decreed invalid 
or unconditional, the remaining provision not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force 
and effect. 
Sec 13. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees orders or regulations or part thereof 
inconsistent with this Act hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
Sec 14. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect upon completion of its publication in 
at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,