NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
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72 JUU8 A10:10
RECEIVED BV;
S. No.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE SCIENCE FOR CHANGE PROGRAM (S4CP)
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Now more than ever, we depend on science to direct our decisions on how to 
carefully proceed with the New Normal amid the limitations and risks posed by the 
ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. We rely on science to determine the best interventions 
to confront the health emergency. We turn to science-based interventions on how to 
safely reopen the economy and get people's lives back on track. We seek expert 
opinion of the scientific community in order to guide us amid the uncertainties and 
to appreciate the developments about the novel Coronavirus.
It is with this mindset that we are filing this Science for Change Program or 
the S4CP, which aims to harness and optimize science, technology, innovation and 
research at the domestic level in offering solutions to the country's perennial and 
most pressing problems. In line with the recent Congressional action of passing laws 
such as Republic Act 11293 or the "Philippine Innovation Act;" RA 11312 or the Act 
Strengthening the Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other 
Science and Technology Personnel in the Government; RA 11363 or the "Philippine 
Space Act;" RA 11337 or the "Innovative Startup Act," this bill continues to give 
priority to science and technology as agents of change and propellers of national 
development.


This bill is also among the priority measures of the Department of Science 
and Technology (DOST), as identified in the updated Philippine Development Plan 
2017-2022. As stated therein, the proposed S4C Act "alms to expand various science 
and technology programs of the DOST, prescribe the research and development 
areas to be considered, and require government instrumentalities to adopt publicly 
funded and generated technologies whenever feasible and practicable."
As progress has been made over the years with the steady increase of 
Researchers, Scientists and Engineers per million population, and percentage of GDP 
expenditure on R&D, there is a need to harmonize the research agenda, further 
accelerate the capacities for R&D, and utilize the outputs towards progress.
In this light, the passage of this bill is hereby recommended.
RAMOrj/^^IG REVILLA, JR.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of flic
*22 JUL18 AlO :10
SENATE
s. No. G 8 0
RECEIVED 8V;
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE SCIENCE FOR CHANGE PROGRAM (S4CP)
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
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Section 1. Short Jltie. - This Act shall be known as the "Kaakibat sa Agham
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para sa Pagbabago Act."
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Sec. 2. Deciaration of Poiicy. - Article XIV of the Philippine Constitution
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recognizes that "science and technology are essential for national development and
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progress." It declares that "the State shall give priority to research and development,
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invention. Innovation, and their utilization; and to science and technology education,
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training and services." Likewise, the State "shall support indigenous, appropriate, and
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self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and their application to the
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country's productive systems and national life."
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Towards these ends and in pursuit of excellence in the field of science,
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technology and innovation (STI), the State needs to accelerate the development of
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STI In the country through a massive increase In Investment, expansion of existing
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STI initiatives, creation of new programs, development of human resources in STI,
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and capacity building of research and development institutions.
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Sec. 3. Objectives. - The objectives of this Act are as follows:
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a) To achieve a higher standard of science, technology, and innovation (STI)
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to contribute to the development of the economy and society;


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b) 
To improve the welfare of the nation by prescribing comprehensive and 
systematic policies for the promotion of STI; and
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To encourage innovation and creativity among Filipinos, and come up with 
new products, technologies and solutions to pressing national problems, 
and gain a competitive edge in the field of research and development.
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall
mean:
a) 
Harmonized Nationai Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA)- an 
outcome-based agenda which identifies all the research and development 
(R&D) programs and projects to be undertaken and funded by the 
government to support the attainment of the key result areas of the 
governments development objectives, particularly those that aim to 
reduce poverty and empower the poor and vulnerable; induce rapid, 
inclusive and sustained economic growth; promote the integrity of the 
environment, and enhance the country's climate change adaptation and 
mitigation capability.
b) 
High-tech Equipment - any equipment using the most advanced and 
developed machines and methods.
c) 
Nationai Innovation Council (NIC) - the policy advisory body established 
by virtue of Republic Act No. 11293, or the Philippine Innovation Act, 
mandated to formulate, develop, Implement and monitor the country's 
Innovation goals, priorities, and long-term national strategy.
d) 
Pubiidy-funded Technology - any technology the development or 
generation of which was funded, in part or in full, using government 
money or resources.
e) 
Research and Development (R&D) - any systematic and creative work 
undertaken in the physical, natural, mathematical, and applied sciences 
by using methods In order to increase the stock of knowledge in these 
fields to devise new applications.
f) 
Science- the systematic way of acquiring knowledge through observation 
and experimentation.
g) 
Technology- the practical application of science.


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h) Innovation - the creation of new ideas that results to the development of
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new or Improved products, processes, or services which are then spread
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or transferred across the market.
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i) Technology licensing - a mode of technology transfer whereby a licensor,
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such as technology generator or technology or intellectual property
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owner, authorizes a licensee to use the technology under certain agreed
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terms and conditions.
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Sec. 5. Science for Change Program (S4CP) and Utilization Policy Framework,
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-The formulation of the S4CP is anchored on the Harmonized National Research and
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Development Agenda (HNRDA) which shall be regularly updated based on the needs
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of the time.
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a) In order to achieve the objectives of this Act, the following S&T programs
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of DOST shall be expanded:
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i. Health Self Sufficiency and Responsiveness to Public Health
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Emergencies
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ii. Renewable Energy (RE) Systems & Bioenergy Technologies
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Hi. Functional Materials for Alternative Energy Sources and Energy
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Conversion and Storage
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iv. Nuclear Science for Energy, Health, Agriculture and Industry
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V. Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, and Genomics
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vi. Climate and Environment Sciences
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vil. Nutrition and Food Security and Safety
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vili. Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Productivity
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ix. Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Development
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X. Transport Solutions
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xi. Industrial or Manufacturing or Mining Productivity
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xii. Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation
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xili. Science and Technology Services for the Production Sector
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xiv. Metrology, Calibration and Standards
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XV. Technology Transfer or Commercialization
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xvi. Human Resource Development for Science, Technology and
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Innovation (STI)


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xvli.Nurturing a Culture of Science
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b) The following new programs shall also be Included In the Science for
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Change Program:
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i. Defense and Security Research and Development
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ii. Space Science and Technology
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ill. ICT Development, Electronics, Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity
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iv. Strengthening of Research and Development and Science and
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Technology Services in the Regions through Infrastructure and
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Human Resource Development
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V. S&T for Creative, Tourism, and Services Industries
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vi. New and Emerging Technologies
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Sec. 6. Major Strategies of the Science for Change Program. - The S4CP shall
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focus on the Accelerated R&D Program for Capacity Building of Research and
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Development Institutions and Industrial Competitiveness which Is composed of four
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(4) programs namely:
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a) Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER). - The NICER Program shall
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be implemented to address the discrepancy in access to R&D funding
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among the regions. Through the program, qualified Higher Education
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Institutions (HEIs) In the regions shall be provided with grants so they can
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undertake quality research directed at promoting regional development
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with their existing capabilities and resources. A proposed NICER should
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be unique, a collaborative project between HEIs, and must be duly
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endorsed by the Regional Development Council (RDC).
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b) R&D Leadership Program (RDLead). - The RDLead program shall be
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implemented to help develop and strengthen further the research
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capabilities of the academe, research and development Institutions
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(RDIs), and other government line agencies nationwide. To this end,
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RDLeaders who are local S&T experts with strong leadership and
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innovative policy proficiencies shall be engaged to train, and direct and
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support their R&D goals. Academic institutions, RDIs and other agencies
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may engage the services of an RDLeader through a screening and
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evaluation process to be conducted by the National Research Council of


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the Philippines (NRCP) based on their respective needs and specifications. 
The NRCP shall be the implementing agency of the RDLead Program.
c) 
Collaborative R&D to Leverage the Economy (CRADLE) for RDIs and 
Industry. - The CRADLE Program shall be implemented to promote 
technological advancement and innovation of local companies and to 
support the growth of the Philippine Innovation ecosystem. Through the 
program, the academe or RD, in partnership with a Filipino company, shall 
undertake research and development to improve the company's products, 
processes, and services to become more competitive In their respective 
Industries. To ensure that research outputs from the academe are 
commercially utilized by the market, beneficiary-companies under this 
program must provide at least twenty percent (20%) counterpart funding 
and commit to adopt the technology that shall be developed by their R&D 
Partner.
d) 
Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) for Industry. - The BIST Program 
shall be implemented by the DOST to provide financial assistance to 
Filipino private companies for the acquisition of strategic and relevant 
technologies so they can undertake their R&D activttles. The financial 
assistance shall be used solely for the purchase of high-tech equipment 
or to secure technology licensing or patent rights and shall be refunded 
to the DOST without Interest.
Sec. 7. Formulation and Submission of the Science for Change Program (S4CP) 
Plan. -The DOST shall formulate the five-year S4CP Plan in coordination with other 
relevant government agencies. Including State Universities and Colleges and 
representatives from the private sector undertaking R&D. The Secretary of DOST shall 
submit to the President, for approval, the Science for Change Program Plan within 
ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.
A successor S4CP Plan shall be formulated and submitted to the President for 
approval at least three (3) months prior to the expiration of the existing S4CP Plan.
Sec. 8. S4CP Program Management Office (PMO). - The Program Management 
Office for the Science for Change Program (PMO-S4CP) shall be created and placed 
under the supervision of the Office of the Secretary of the DOST. The PMO shall ensure


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the effective and efficient implementation of the Science for Change Programs. It shall
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perform coordinating and Secretariat functions and promote the various S4CP
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programs. The Secretary of the DOST shall formulate the staffing pattern of the PMO
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in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management and in accordance
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with rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission.
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Sec. 9. The Harmonized National R&D Agenda. - The DOST shall, in
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consultation with government research institutions and other agencies concerned,
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shall formulate a Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA)
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and a program for technology adoption for the government in accordance with the
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priorities of the Philippine Development Plan. The proposed HNRDA shall be submitted
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to the National Innovation Council for approval. The DOST shall certify that all the
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publicly funded R&D projects form part of the HNRDA and included in the HNRDA
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under the annual General Appropriations Act.
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The DOST shall submit to the Department of Budget and Management, the
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Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate of the
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Philippines, either in printed form or by electronic document, a copy of the approved
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HNRDA. The Secretary of Science and Technology and the Agency's web administrator
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or an equivalent officer shall ensure that the approved HNRDA is posted on the
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Agency's website.
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Sec. 10. Mandatory Adoption of Publicly Funded Technologies. - All publicly
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funded and generated technologies whenever feasible and practicable shall be utilized
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by all government entities and instrumentalities. All national government agencies
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(NGAs), government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), state universities
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and colleges (SUCs), and local government units (LGUs) conducting science and
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technology development projects shall adopt publicly-funded technologies.
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Sec. 11. Science for Change Program Fund (S4CPF). - All donations,
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contributions, grants, bequests, or gifts, in cash or in kind, for the S4CP shall be placed
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into a fund to be known as the Science for Change Program Fund: Provided, That,
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acceptance of grants, bequests, contributions, and donations from foreign
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governments shall be subject to the approval of the President of the Philippines, upon
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recommendation of the Secretary of the DOST and the Secretary of the Department
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of Foreign Affairs.


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Sec. 12. Appropriations, - The initial amount for the implementation of this Act 
shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DOST. Thereafter, 
such funds as may be required for the implementation of this Act shall be included In 
the annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 13. Annuai Report. - The DOST shall submit an annual report on the 
implementation of the S4CP to the Office of the President and to the Committee on 
Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 
Philippines.
Sec. 14. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - The DOST shall formulate the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the effective implementation of this Act 
within one hundred eighty (180) days from the effectivity thereof.
Sec. 15. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any provision or part hereof Is held Invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
Sec. 16. Repeaiing Ciause. - Any law, presidential decree or Issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
accordingly.
Sec. 17. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the OfTiciai Gazette ov in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,