Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill no,__ 38.102

INTODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ANGELO B. PALMONES

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF ASSISTANT REGIONAL
DIRECTOR AND PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR IN THE DEPARTMENT
OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 6959, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines recognizes the essential value of
science and technology in national economic growth and development. This is expressed
in the provision that “The State shall give priority to.... science and technology
education, training and services .... and shall support scientific and technological
capabilities and their application to the country’s productive systems and national life”. It
is the mandate of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to encourage and
support the generation, transfer and application of technologies to end-users and in
particular for the establishment and development of small and medium enterprises and
livelihood activities.

The main institutional unit of the DOST engaged in the dissemination and transfer of
information and technologies and in the provision of technological support services in the
rural areas are the provincial science and technology offices (PSTOs). However, they are
hampered by the chronic inadequacy of personnel in addition to very limited budgets.
Each PSTO has an average of 2 personnel, sometimes augmented by the secondment of
additional personnel from local government units (LGUs).


In 2003 the DOST launched a national technology transfer program in support of micro,
small and medium enterprises. Its main purpose was to provide technological assistance
to existing enterprises, acquire needed technologies to improve their operations, increase
productivity, or reduce production costs or all three. The program also assists would-be
entrepreneurs establish their businesses. The program is dubbed Small and Medium
Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP). The program is assisting
enterprises in food, furniture, gifis/toys/housewares, marine and aquatic products,
horticulture, and metals and engineering. From about 50 projects in 2003 with an
investment of less than P25M the program has supported a total 836 micro, small and
medium enterprises with a total investment of P427 M up to the middle of 2010. Many of
these enterprises have begun to export their products abroad. Through the program more
than 18,000 man-years of jobs have been created.

The main implementers of the SET-UP are the Regional Offices through the PSTOs.

With more personnel and better logistical support the PSTOs, can provide better and
improved support to rural enterprises, generate more jobs and more income to rural
families, thus the proposed bill.

ANGELO B. PALMONES:


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3102

House Bill no.

INTODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ANGELO B. PALMONES

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF ASSISTANT REGIONAL
DIRECTOR AND PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR IN THE DEPARTMENT
OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 6959 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 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 Department of Science and Technology
Provincial Directors Act of 2010.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy — It is the policy of the state to accelerate the transfer of
relevant and appropriate technologies and services to rural areas particularly in the
establishment and support of rural enterprises and livelihood activities for the benefit
people in the country-side through higher productivity at lower production costs.

In pursuance to this policy the Regional and Provincial Offices of the Department of
Science and Technology which are one of the principal instruments of technology
transfer of the government are strengthened through this Act.

Section 3. Assistant Regional Director — There shall be established in the Regional
Offices of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) the Office of Assistant
Regional Director. The Assistant Regional Director shall have the following functions


a. Assist the Regional Director in the administration and management of the DOST
regional office

b. With assistance of the Regional Technical Division Chief, and the Regional
Planning Officer be responsible for the planning of yearly regional plans and
programs

c. Responsible for monitoring and evaluation of regional projects and provide
feedbacks to Provincial Directors for successful implementation of projects

d. Submit periodic reports to the Regional Director on the status of implementation
of projects

e. Implement functions that the Regional Director may assign from time to time

Section 4. Qualifications of the Assistant Regional Director — The DOST in
consultation with relevant government agencies shall establish the qualifications of the
Assistant Regional Director. The DOST shall also prescribe the procedure the selection
of the Assistant Regional Director.

Section 5. Remuneration of the Assistant Regional Director ~ The remuneration,
emoluments, allowances and other benefits of the Assistant Regional Director shall be as
prescribed by existing pertinent laws for its level of position. The position shall have a
rank of Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) IV.

Section 6, Provincial Directors — There shall be established the Office of the Provincial
Director in each province under the Department of Science and Technology with the rank
of CESO V and with the following responsibilities and functions:

a. Identify the needs and opportunities for technology-based development of
enterprises and livelihood projects in the provinces and formulate plans and
strategies for their implementation.

b. Implement the Department’s programs/projects on the delivery of science and
technology services such as technology demonstration and transfer, science and
technology promotion and information dissemination, training and such other
areas of concern that will benefit the people in the provinces,

¢. Develop institutional linkages with provincial offices of other government
agencies, local government units (LGUs), academic institutions as well as non-
government organizations (NGOs) for effective implementation of science and
technology programs in the provinces,

d. Monitor and evaluate provincial $ & T projects and render periodic reports to the
Assistant Regional Director and furnishing copy thereof the Regional Technical
Division

¢. Establish data bank on technologies relevant to the province and on enterprises
and livelihood activities supported by the PSTO and other relevant agencies of
government performing similar functions

£ The Provincial Director is not authorized to sign contracts except when authorized
by competent authorities

g. Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Assistant Regional
Director or the Regional Director


Section 7. Qualifications of the Provincial Director — The Department in consultation.
with relevant government agencies shall establish the qualifications of and procedures for
the selection of the Provincial Director.

Section 8. Remuneration and other Benefits of the Provincial Director — The
remuneration of the Provincial Director shall be equivalent to that of any CESO V 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.

Section 9. Staff of the Provincial Science and Technology Office — There shall be a
minimum of 5 technical staff of the Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) in
addition to the Provincial Director and in addition to one non-technical officer. The
DOST shall determine the level of these positions, Provided that prescribed qualifications
shall be in accordance with Civil Service laws and regulations.

Section 10 — Funding support for this Act — For the initial funding for the
implementation of this Act, the income by the DOST shall be utilized until such time as
all the positions are filled up and completed. Thereafter, the funds needed for the
continuous operation of the various offices established under this Act shall be included in
the annual appropriations of the Department of Science and Technology.

Section 11 ~ Implementing Rules and Regulations ~ The Department of Science and
Technology in coordination with other government agencies concerned shall issue the
implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the Act.

Section 12 — Separability Clause ~ If any part or provisions of this Act are held
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected shall
continue in full force and effect.

Section 13 — Repealing Clause — This Act repeals or modifies accordingly pertinent
provisions of Section 2, Section 3, and Section 4 of Republic Act No. 6959 and any law,
decree, rules and regulations, executive orders or proclamations or parts thereof which
are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act.

Section 14 — Effectivity — This Act shall take effect immediately upon compliance with
existing regulations on publication.

Approved