THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
rauG -4 P 3 3 1  
/' 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 17, provides: 
The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, 
culture, .and sports-to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress 
and promote total human liberation and development. 
The continued growth and prosperity of the high technology industry is important to the 
continued prosperity of the economy. An adequate supply of highly skilled technology workers 
is essential for the advanced technologies and business entities 
Unfortunately, there is a shortage of information technology workers and 
orkers in 
.
.
 . 
other high technology industries. 
I 
In the absence of a concerted effort by business entities, the government, and educational 
institutions, the shortage of information technology workers will continue to be a problem. 
Hence, this bill seeks to provide for various investinents in technology education in order 
to mold highly skilled information technology workers. 
MRIAM D E F E ~ O R  
SANTIAG~ %- 
1. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
First Regular Session 
1 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
AUG -R 
P 3 :I 1 
4s 
S E N  
C
D
 
d. u. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE FOR VARIOUS INVESTMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION 
Be it enncted by the Senate nnd the House of Repvesentatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Technology Education 
Capital Investment Act.” 
- ~- 
- -  
SECTION 2. National Science Foundation Education Pvogvurns. - 
(1) INFORMAL SCIENCE PROGRAMS - There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as “Secretary”) 
such sums as may be necessary to conduct, in coordination with the Secretary of Department of 
Education, Culture, and Sports, informal science and math education programs. 
(2) The informal science and math education programs conducted sha 1 promote 
the understanding of science and technology through voluntary, self-directed, an life-long 
learning opportunities by fostering community-based and institutional math and science 
education programs. 
In such programs, the Secretary may give priority to providing for 
organizations, projects, or programs that provide inquiry-based and hands-on scientific learning 
opportunities for students at pre-kindergarten through secondary education levels. 
.
.
 
I 
SECTION 3. Hands-On Stueizt Tvnining (H 0. S. T )  Pavtnership Gvmts. - 
(1) IN GENERAL - The Secretary of Trade and Industry inay make start-up 
grants to institutions of higher learning to develop industry-sponsored internship programs that 
provide opportunities for undergraduate engineering students to receive hands-on training at 
local businesses. 


(2) PRIORITIES - Special emphasis shall b e given under this s ectio to those 
.
.
 . 
I 
programs that - 
(A) demonstrate a long term financial commitment from industry 
participants for initiation and long-term operation of the program; 
(B) involve extensive input and participation by all industry participants; 
(C) adequately financially compensate student participants; and 
(0) encourage technology education. 
(3) RESTRICTIONS - 
(A)Not more than one (1) grant shall be awarded to an entity under 
subsection (1). 
(B) Awards under subsection (1) may be applied to expenses related to the 
creation of the programs described in that subsection, including the recruitment of 
businesses or organizations to participate in such programs. 
(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS - There are authorized to be 
appropriated?;. 
the Secretary of Trade and Industry such sums as may he necessary for grants 
under this section. 
.=- 
. 
SECTION 4. Technology Worlgororce Commission. - 
(A)BUSINESS ENTITY - The term ‘business entity’ mea s a firm, 
corporation, association, partnership, consortium, joint venture, or 0th r fonn, of 
enterprise. 
I 
(1) DEFINITIONS - In this Act: 
(B) COMMISSION - The term “Commission” means the Technology 
Workforce Commission established under subsection (2). 
(2) ESTABLISHMENT OF TECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE COMMISSION - 
( A ) N  GENERAL - There is established a commission to be known as the 
Technology Workforce Commission, 
(B) MEMBERSHIP - 


(i) COMPOSITION - The Commission shall be composed of 
twenty (21) members to be appointed as follows: 
(a) Eleven (11) members shall be appointe 
by the 
President, of whom five (5) shall be individuals who are fficers or 
.
.
 . 
employees of appropriate executive agency or departme I 
t and the 
rest shall he individuals employed in high technology business 
entities. 
(h) Five (5) members shall be appointed by the Speaker of 
the House of Representatives, who shall be members of Congress. 
(c) Five (5) members shall he appointed by the Senate 
President, who shall be members of Congress. 
(ii) DATE - The appointments of the members of the Commission 
shall be made by the date that is thirty (30) days after the date of 
enactment of this Act. 
(C)PERIOD OF APOINTMENT; VACANCIES - Members shall be 
appointed for the life of the Cornmission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall 
not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
appointment. 
- 
.- . 
- -  
(D)INITIAL MEETING - Not later than thirty (30) days after the date on 
which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the Commission 
shall hold its first meeting. 
(E)MEETINGS - The Commission shall meet at the c 11 of the 
(F) QUORUM.- A majority of the .members of the Commi sion shall 
I 
Chairperson. 
constitute a quorum, hut a lesser number of members may hold hearings. 
(G)CHARPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON - The Commission 
shall select a chairperson and vice chairperson from among its members 
(3) DUTIES OF COMMISSION - 
(A) STUDY ~ 


- 
- -  
-- - .  (i) IN GENERAL - The Commission shall conduct a thorough 
study of all matters relating to the shortage o f  technology workers. 
(ii) MATTERS STUDIED - The matters studied by the 
Commission shall include an examination of - 
(a) the causes of shortage of technology worlters; 
(b) possible solutions to address the shortage re erred to in 
.
.
 
1. 
clause (a); and 
(e) the relative efficacy of programs in the Phil;, pines and 
foreign countries to provide for an increase in the number of 
technology workers, with special emphasis on programs that 
provide for secondary education or postsecondary education in a 
program other than a 4-year baccalaureate program (including 
associate degree programs and graduate degree programs). 
(B) PUBLIC HEARINGS - As part of the study concocted under this 
subsection, the Commission shall hold public hearings concerning the issues 
referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of subparagraph (ii). 
(C) EXISTING INFORMATION - To the extent practicable, in carrying 
out the study under this subsection, the Commission shall identify and use 
existing information related to the issues referred to in the clauses (a) and (b) of 
subparagGph 
.- . (ii). 
- -  
(D) REPORT - Not later than one (I) year after the initial meeting of the 
Commission, the Commission shall submit a report to the President and the 
Congress which shall contain a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions 
of the Cornmission, together with its recommendations for such legislations and 
adininistraiive actions as it considers appropriate. 
(E) FACILITATION OF EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION - I carrying 
out the study in this subsection, the Commission shall, to the extent p acticable, 
facilitate the exchange of the information concerning the issues that are the 
subject of the study among 
.
.
 
1. 


(i) officials of the government and political subdivisions thereof; 
and 
(ii) educators from local institutions of higher education and 
- ~- 
. 
-. 
secondary schools. 
(4) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION - 
(A)HEARWGS - The Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act at 
such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the 
Commission considers advisable to cany out the purposes of this Act. 
(B) INFORMATION FROM AGENCIES - The Commission 
ay secure 
directly from any department or agency such information as the C mmission 
considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Upon request of the 
Chairperson of the Commission, the head of such department or agency shall 
furnish such information to the Commission. 
I 
(C)POSTAL SERVICES - The Commission may use the mails in the 
same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of 
the Govermnent. 
(D)GIFTS - The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or 
donations of services or property. 
( 5 )  COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS - 
(A) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS - Except as provided in paragraph 
(B), each member of the Commission who is not an officer or an employee of the 
goveminent shall serve without compensation. All members of the Commission 
-who 
ai-e--officers or ~ employees of the government shall serve without 
compensation in addition to that received for their services as officers or 
employees. 
(B)TRAVEL EXPENSES - The members of the Commission shall be 
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates 
authorized for employees of agencies under existing laws, rules or r gulations, 
I.. . 


while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of 
services for the Commission. 
(C) STAFF - 
(i) IN GENERAL - The Chairperson of the Committee may, 
without regard to civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate 
an executive director and such other additional personnel as may be 
necessary to enable the Commission to perform its duties. The 
employment of an executive director shall be subject to confirmation by 
the Commission. 
- 
.- . 
-. - 
(ii) COMPENSATION - The Chairperson of the Commission may 
fix the compensation of the executive director and other pe sonnel in 
(D)DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES. - Any g vemment 
accordance with Civil Service laws and regulations. 
employee may be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement, and such 
detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege. 
(6) TERMINATION O F  COMMISSION 
~ 
The Commission shall terminate on 
the date that is ninety (90) days after the date on which the Commission submits its report under 
this subsection. 
I 
(7) AUTHORZZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS - 
(A)N GENERAL - There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as 
may be necessary to the Commission to cany out the purposes of this Act. 
(B) AVAILABILITY - Any sums appropriated under the authorization 
contained in this section shall remain available, without fiscal year limitation, 
until expended. 
- 
.- 
-- 
- 
SECTION 5. Sepavability Clause. - If any p rovision o r  part hereof i s held invalid o r  
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting 


SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 7. Efectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen ( 15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
I 
11899 
.
.
 
~. .