Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7011

HOUSE BILL NO.!

Introduced by Reps. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang and Seth
Frederick P. Jalosjos

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Department of Science and Technology through the leadership of Secretary Fortunato Dela
Pefia celebrated every third week of July yearly through Proclamation No. 169 of 1993. It aims
to recognize the contribution of science and technology in the development of the country and
garner support from the public and private institutions for its sustainable development. This
year’s theme is ‘Science for the People,” (SFTP) and highlight the practical use of various
technological products and research outputs,”

The celebration of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) annually to showcase
the services and products of our scientists, engineers, researchers, inventors, and innovators.
The activities lined up for this year’s NSTW are science and technology forums on agriculture,
health, nutrition, disaster preparedness management, and manufacturing. Technology exhibits
and launches, film showing, scientific career talks, science journalism writeshop, SETUP
forums, and awarding ceremony are also included

The aims to give the public a unique experience on how S&T work for a better life. It is an
amazing science and technology (S&T) experience as the Department of Science and
Technology showcases the country’s best in S&T research and services, interactive exhibits,
and technology-aided entrepreneurship. Because of this activities, it was encourage to conduct
a Regional Science and Technology Week in the different regions so that it will be closer to
the people and science will be felt by the different provinces.

This is the time to strengthen the provincial science and technology center by converting them
into an office with respective plantilla position that would serve the transfer of technology from
national to regional to provincial, so that the program of the DOST would truly be a AGHAM
RAMDAM policy. The PSTCs serve as the implementing arm of DOST for all its flagship
projects and as an effective listening post on science and technology concerns in the provinces.


In order to function as mandated by law to disseminate transfer technologies and provide
technological support service for the development of small and medium enterprises in the rural
areas, there is a need to revisit the Republic Act No. 6959, the law creating the Provincial
Science and Technology Center (PSTC) by converting the said center into an office which shall
manage by a provincial director and with support staff equal and the same as the Provincial of
Trade and Industry under the Department of Trade and Industry.

Immediate passage of this important measure is earnestly sought.

ED! . JALOSJOS



(NEW VERSION)
Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7011

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Reps. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang and Seth
Frederick P. Jalosjos

AN ACT
CONVERTING THE PROVINCIAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
CENTERINTO 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 2017.”

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 of the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will act as the principal instruments of
technology transfer and development of technology-based enterprises of the government in the
rural areas to be converted toa Provincial Science and Technology Office through this Act.

SEC. 3.Provincial Science and Technology Offices (PSTOs).The Provincial Science
and Technology offices will have the following functions, as determined by the DOST
Secretary

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;

c.) Develop institutional linkages with provincial offices of other departments both local
government units, academe and non-governmental offices for the effective
implementation of science and technology programs in the provinces;

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Sec. 4 Provincial S&T Directors. -\The present heads of the PSTOs with the
designation of Provincial Science and Technology Officer and the position title of Senior
Research Specialist, with salary grade of nineteen (SG 19) shall be upgraded to the rank of
Provincial Science and Technology Directors in each province with a salary grade of twenty-
six (SG 26) under the DOST. Further, Provided, 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 culture among the people in the province, consistent with and
supportive to the regional and national development S&T plans;

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

(c) 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;

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

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

(f) Coordinate with local government units (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;

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

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

(i) Responsible for the overall supervision and fiscal management of services and
operations of the PSTO;

G) Ensure that the qualityof operational management system is in accordance with the
ISO quality management standards;

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

(1) Perform other related functions as may be assigned by the higher authorities.

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  cligibility requirements
commensurate to the upgraded position of the Provincial Science and Technology Director at

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salary grade twenty-six (SG 26). The current head of the PSTO holding the position for more
than twenty (20) years, shall automatically be included in the selection for Provincial Science
and Technology Director position: Provided, That the incumbent has met and complied with
all the requirements.

SEC. 6. Remuneration and other Benefits of the Provincial Director. The
remuneration of the Provincial Science and Technology Director shall be equivalent to that of
the same salary grade twenty-six (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 a minimum of five (5) plantilla positions in addition to the Provincial Director. In cases,
when there is a need for additional staff, such shall be determined by the Provincial Director
based on the population of the province or on the number of districts per province. The DOST
shall determine the level of these positions, provided that prescribed qualifications shall be in
accordance with existing Civil Service laws and regulations.

SEC. 8. Use of Funds. All fees and charges collected as a result of S&T services
rendered by the PSTOs is not only limited to metrological work, testing and calibration services
but shall be used by the PSTOs in the enhancement of PSTOs capabilities, development of
human resource and in the maintenance of their equipment and facilities.

SEC.9. Appropriations. - 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 Regulations. The DOST, in consultation with
concerned agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations
of this Act within ninety (90) days from effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional
or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
ordinances, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent
with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,