Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 10713 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
 EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution mandates the state to support a leading source of 
policy research and advice institute that is globally recognized that is an 
enabling partner of government in ensuring a better life for every Filipino through 
appropriate technology and standards, with adequate financial, and other 
support services. 
The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) serves as the 
Philippine government's primary socioeconomic policy think tank. Since its 
establishment, PIDS has been engaged in the conduct of policy-oriented studies 
to assist policymakers and planners in crafting development policies, plans, and 
programs that are based on sound research evidence. It has completed 
numerous studies on a wide range of development topics.  
These studies have supported the Philippine government in the formulation of 
relevant policies and programs that are vital to attain inclusive and sustainable 
development. The Institute has also made significant contribution and influence 
to Philippine policy development through its active and close collaboration with 
Congress, government agencies especially the oversight offices (National 
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM), Department of Finance (DOF), academic and research 
organizations, private sector, civil society, and international organizations. Its 
research outputs are widely disseminated through publications, seminars and 
conferences, knowledge databases, and social media. 
August 5, 2024
10:31 am


Change, as it seems, is the inescapable destiny of the PIDS. But as history 
proves, whatever the nature of change brought about by national political events, 
the Committee manages to make it for the better. 
This House Bill seeks to ensure, and help improve government operations, in 
partnership with stakeholders, for the benefit of the Filipino people. 
 
This House Bill seeks to provide modernization to the Philippine Institute for 
Development Studies (PIDS), to promote and hasten the imposition and 
implement laws, policies, plans, programs, projects, rules and regulations of the 
NEDA; and to provide efficient services to the Filipino people. 
 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.  
 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO Ph.D.    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
 
19TH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
 
HOUSE BILL NO. 10713 
 
 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero  
 
 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE 
INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PIDS), TO PROVIDE 
FORWARD-LOOKING, RESPONSIVE, AND EVIDENCE-BASED 
POLICY RESEARCH, ACTIONABLE ADVICE FOR THE 
FORMULATION OF DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND POLICIES, TO 
ENABLE INFORMED PUBLIC DISCOURSE IN THE COUNTRY 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
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 
Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) modernization Act of 
2024. 
SECTION 
2. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY — It is a declared policy of 
the state in conformity with the mandate of the Constitution. 
the state shall ensure to augment the formulation and implementation of 
policies, standards, rules and regulations, programs and projects for an 
integrated,  


The (PIDS) is mandated to assess the vulnerabilities and risks, As the 
country's leading institution for policy-oriented research, PIDS responds to 
current and emerging challenges to national development. We provide forward-
looking, responsive, and evidence-based policy research and actionable advice 
in the formulation of development plans and policies. 
We enable informed public discourse by effectively communicating our 
research findings and recommendations. 
We commit to: 
- Professionalism, Integrity, Dedication, and Service 
orientation; 
- Legal and ethical standards in the conduct and 
dissemination of policy-oriented research; and 
- Continual improvement of our personnel, processes, 
and Quality Management System.  
 
For these purposes, the state shall provide the mechanisms to improve 
facilities and programs by maximizing the use of all existing resources. 
recognizing in the process the government’s responsibility to instill these control 
mechanisms as having priority over its other functions. 
It is imperative that the state prioritizes and provides the appropriate tools, 
means and funding in order for the (PIDS) to perform its noble mandates. 
To carry out its mandate, the Institute maintains three basic programs:  
a) Research 
b) Dissemination and Research Utilization and  
c) Outreach 


  
SECTION 3.  
AUTHORITY - No law shall be passed exempting any 
entity of the Government or its subsidiary in any guise whatever, or any 
investment of public funds, from the jurisdiction of the PIDS. 
 
Section 31, Chapter 10, Title Ill, Book Ill of EO No. 292 (s. 
1987) or the "Administrative Code of 1987," provides that 
the President shall have continued authority to reorganize the 
Executive Department in order to achieve simplicity, economy 
and efficiency. 
Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution provides that the 
President 
shall 
have 
control 
over 
all 
the 
executive 
departments, bureaus and offices, and shall ensure that the 
laws are faithfully executed. 
 
SECTION 4. 
CHARTER – PIDS is a nonstock, nonprofit, government 
research institution engaged in long-term, policy-oriented research. It was 
established on September 26, 1977 by virtue of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 
1201 as an agency attached to the National Economic and Development 
Authority (NEDA), the Philippine government's socioeconomic planning arm, for 
policy and program coordination. 
PIDs was created to serve as an effective means of bridging the gap between 
public policy formulation and research. Given the orientation and character of 
pure academic research, it was the government's goal to establish a national 
research institution that will perform policy-oriented research on all aspects of 
the Philippine economy and assist the government in formulating plans and 


policies that are evidence based and fully responsive to the requirements of 
national planning and policymaking for national development. 
 
SECTION 5. 
RESEARCH POLICY DEMANDS: 
A. there is a present need for adequate research studies and 
materials properly oriented to the formulation of plans and 
policies relative to national development; 
B. under the existing set-up, the demand for research studies are 
in part supplied by the research output of academic and other 
research institutions but these research efforts are not, however, 
fully responsive to the requirements of national planning and 
policy making; 
C. research in the social sciences and economics under the existing 
set-up has given rise to the problem of the weakness of the link 
between public policy formulation and research because of the 
orientation and character of pure academic research; 
D. an effective means of bridging this gap is to establish a national 
research institution that will perform policy-oriented research on 
all aspects of the Philippine economy and assist the government 
in formulating plans and policies for national development. 
 
SECTION 6.  
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS. The Institute shall have 
the following powers: 
(a) To adopt, alter and use a corporate seal; 
(b) To collect, receive and maintain a fund or funds from 
government appropriations and from donations, grants, gifts, 
bequests, loans from domestic and foreign sources, and to apply the 
income and principal thereof to the promotion of its aims and 
purposes; 


(c) To own, manage and hold such real and personal property 
as shall be necessary for the Institute's purposes; 
(d) In furtherance of its purpose and objectives, to extend 
financial assistance to, and enter into contracts of every kind and 
for any lawful purpose, with any person, firm, association or 
corporation, domestic or foreign, or others in which it has a lawful 
interest; 
(e) To invest its funds in such undertaking as it may deem 
wise or necessary to carry out its objectives; and 
(f) In general, to do all such acts and things as may be 
necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this Decree. 
 
SECTION 7.  
FEES 
OF 
RESEARCH 
FELLOWS 
AND 
ASSOCIATES. Any provision of law, rule or regulation to the contrary 
notwithstanding, the Institute is hereby authorized to engage researchers and 
other professional staff from other government offices and agencies to conduct 
specialized studies and research for the Institute. Those so engaged by the 
Institute shall be issued appointments as Research Fellows or Research 
Associates and shall be paid, as they are hereby authorized to be paid such fees 
as determined by the Board in addition to whatever compensation or 
emoluments, they are receiving in their respective mother offices or agencies. 
 
SECTION 8.  
RESEARCH AND ADVISORY COUNCIL - The Institute 
shall have a Research Advisory council which shall be composed of 
personalities well-known in the field of research relevant to national development 
and may include foreign scholars. The Committee to be set up by the Board of 
Trustees shall have the following functions: 
(a) To advise the Board on the selection of, and design 
of the methodology of research projects; 
(b) Evaluation, announcement and publication of major 
research studies; and 
(c) Advise the Board on such other research activities 
deemed necessary to meet the needs of national development. 


 
SECTION 9.  
GRANTS - There is hereby established funds which 
shall be self-sustaining and shall consist of contributions, donations, grants, or 
loans from domestic and/or foreign sources, government subsidies and other 
income accruing from the operations of the Institute.  
For the initial organizational and operational requirements of the Institute, 
there is hereby appropriated out of any fund in the National Treasury not 
otherwise 
appropriated 
the 
sum 
of 
five 
(5) 
hundred 
million 
pesos 
(P500,000,000.00). Hereafter, funding for the operational activities of the 
Institute shall be generated by the Institute from earnings of this Fund. 
 
SECTION 10.  
GOVERNMENT 
CONTRIBUTION 
TO 
RESEARCH 
FUNDING. There shall be included in the annual budget of the NEDA such sum 
as may be determined by the NEDA Director General as contribution in 
financing the research activities of the Institute. Other government agencies are 
hereby authorized to include in their respective annual budget such necessary 
amounts as their contribution to the funding of certain research activities of the 
Institute. These contributions shall be treated as distinct from the Endowment 
Fund and shall be managed under separate account. 
The Institute shall submit to the Director General of the NEDA a work 
program with budget estimates for each calendar year, not later than November 
25 of the preceding year. 
 
Section 11.  
TAX EXEMPTION. - Any provision of law to the 
contrary notwithstanding, any donation, contribution, bequest, subsidy or 
financial aid which may be made to the Institute shall be exempt from taxes of 
any kind and shall constitute allowable deductions in full of the income of the 
donors or grantors for income tax purposes. 


The Institute, its assets, acquisitions, income and its operations and 
transactions shall be exempt from any and all taxes, fees, charges, imports, 
licenses and assessments, direct or indirect, imposed by the Republic of the 
Philippines or any of its political subdivision 
 
SECTION 
12. 
SUPERVISING AND ASSESSMENT CONCERNS. — the 
National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), shall provide the 
necessary technical and financial assistance to ensure effective operations and 
build-up. 
 
SECTION 
13. 
IMPLEMENTING AGENCY. — The National Economic 
Development Authority (NEDA). 
 
SECTION 
14. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. — 
Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the PIDS, shall, in 
consultation with DBM and DOF concerned government and private agencies, 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of 
this Act. 
SECTION 
15. 
MODERNIZATION FUNDING. – The amount of Two 
Billion Pesos (Php 2, 000,000,000.00) for the operation and administration of 
the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) shall be chargeable 
against funds for the purpose and other sources recommended by the 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM).  
The amount necessary for the initial implementation to fund this act 
shall be charged under the National Economic Authority (NEDA).  


Thereafter, appropriations for the (PIDS), shall be included in the budget 
proposals under the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) 
 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall rationalize the existing 
organizational structure and staffing pattern of the (PIDS) in accordance with 
the prevailing provisions and relevant compensation and position classification 
laws, rules and regulations. 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
modernization program shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act (GAA). 
SECTION 
16. 
MODERNIZATION FUND – There is hereby created the 
Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) Modernization Fund to 
be used exclusively for the (PIDS) Modernization Program. 
The (PIDS) Modernization Fund shall be administered by the Director General 
of the NEDA in accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting, and 
auditing rules and regulations. 
SECTION 
17. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Director General of the 
(NEDA) shall prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of 
the Modernization Programs which shall be submitted, to the Office of the 
President. 
 
SECTION 
18. 
INCREASE OF PERSONNEL. – The (PIDS) shall 
maintain a sufficient staffing pattern.  
Hence, it is authorized to increase its manpower to meet such required 
and may continue to increase personnel per percentage rate increase of 
committed mandates annually or as the need arises. 


SECTION 
19. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of three (3) 
years:  
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, further, That the (PIDS) shall continue to develop, modernize and 
constantly update its operational capabilities to keep pace with best global 
practices. 
SECTION 
20. 
TRANSPARENCY - It is the duty of every citizen to 
preserve and conserve government transparency and all its resources. The 
retrieval and conservation of government transparency and its resources shall 
be vigorously pursued. 
SECTION 
21. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 22. 
PERIODIC REPORTS - The Director General of the 
(NEDA) 
shall 
submit 
periodic 
reports 
on 
its 
findings 
and 
make 
recommendations on actions to be taken by the Office of the President and 
other appropriate departments, in order to carry out the objectives and 
mandates of this Act. 
SECTION 
23. 
AUTOMATIC REVIEW - Every three (3) years after the 
effectivity of this Act, an independent review panel composed of experts to be 
appointed by the President of the Republic shall review the policies and 
implementation 
in 
the 
modernization 
program 
and 
shall 
make 
recommendations, based on its findings. 


SECTION 
24. 
PENAL CLAUSE. – Any person, whether natural or 
juridical, violating any section of this Act shall, upon conviction, therefore, be 
liable to a fine of not less than five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or 
imprisonment for a term not less than six (6) years, or both, at the discretion of 
the court for each and every violation.  
In case the violation is committed by a corporation or an association, the 
penalty shall devolve upon the president, director, or any other officer 
responsible for such violation.  
 
SECTION 
25. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
26. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
27. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
28. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,