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

SIXTEENTH CONGRE
First Regular Session

4465

House’ Bill No.

Introduced by: Representative VICTOR J. YU

AN ACT
UPGRADING THE POSITION OF THE PROVINCIAL SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY OFFICER INTO THE PROVINCIAL — SCIEN AND

TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLGY AND AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6959, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFORE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Forefront to the national development in the history of the Philippines. the National
Science Development Board (NSDB) was created 1958 during the administration of Pres
Carlos P. Garcia. It was originally mandated to survey the state of science and technology
development in the Philippines at the time. It is an office under the Office of the President
which located in Manila, NSDB then became the National Science and Technology Authority
(NSTA) in 1982 to expand its function and coverage to the Regions.

In 1987, when Pres. Corazon C. Aquino rose to power and in a shake-up of the
executive departments the NSTA was elevated to cabinet-level status to become the present-
day Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to meet the demands of the burgeoning
fields of science and technology and increased calls from various sectors of Philippine
society state intervention in the fields of science and technology for the sake of national
government.

DOST then became the premier science and technology ageney in the country charged
with the twin mandate of providing central direction, leadership, and coordination of all
science and technology activities in the country and formulating science and technology
policies, programs and projects in support to the national development. The DOST System is
composed of two (2) Advisory Bodies, four (4) Sectoral Planning Councils, seven (7)
Research and Developments Institutes, and eight (8) Science and Technology se
institutes. These are:

DOST Attached Agencies
National Academy of Science and
National Research Couneil of the Phi



Sectoral Planning Councils
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, anc Natural Resources Research and
Development (PCAARRD)
Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD)
Philippine Couneil for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and
Development (PCIEERD)
Research and Development Institutes
Industrial Technology Development Institute (IT D1)
Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI)
Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI)
Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI)
Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC)
Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI)
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNR1)

cience and Technology Service Institutes
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
Technology Application Promotion Institute (TAP)
Science and Technology Information Institute (STH)
Science Education Institute (SE!)
Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System
Technology Transfer Center (TRC)
Information and Communications Technology Offi

(cro)

Currently, there are sixteen (16) Department of Science and Technology Regional
Offices (PSTOs) and seventy-nine (79) Provincial Seience and Technology Centers all over
the country.

In 1992, the Provineial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) was ereated under
Republic Act 6959, a body mandated to disseminate, transfer technologies and provide
technological support services for the development of small and medium enterprises in the
rural areas, It is manned by only two (2) personnel headed by PSTOs. ‘The position of the
PSTO is only Senior Science Research Specialist with a salary grade of only 19, but working
for the development of science and technology for the entire province while other national
government ageney of the same level in the province possess higher position.

The PSTCs serve as the implementing arm of DOST for all its flagship projects under
Smarter Philippines as well as effective listening posts on science and technology concerns in
the provinces. The DOST Smarter Philippines flagship projects include. inter alia.Projects
Disaster Risk and Exposure Assessment for Mitigation — Light Detection and Ranging
(DREAM-LiDAR). E-Health/Rx Box Project, Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) or
Monorail, and Small and Medium Enterprise ‘Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP). The
SET-UP is a national technology transfer program in support of national and rural
development was started in 2005 and has been expanded to respond more effectively to the
business and technology needs of SMEs.The program is assisting enterprises in. food,
furniture, gifts/toys/housewares, marine and aquatic products, horticulture, and metals and
engineering technologies. From 2002 to 2012 there were 16,292 MSMEs provided with
technology intervention, 34,304 employments generated, 2.232 new market penetrated and
generated a product sales Php 73B. with upgraded salary grade and better logical support. the



PSTO ean enhance the status of the MSME’s and advance the development of science and
technology based rural enterprises, create more employment opportunities and inerease the
income of the rural families.

Immediate passage of this important measure is earnestly sought

1 District, Zamty


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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4465

House Bill No.

Introduced by

Representative VICTOR J. YU

AN ACT
UPGRADING THE POSITION OF THE PROVINCIAL SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY OFFICER INTO THE PROVINCIAL SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLGY AND AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6959, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFORE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1, Title ~ This Act shall be known as she “Provincial Science and
Technology Directors Act of 2014.

Section 2. Declaration 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.

In pursuance to this policy, the Provincial Centers of the Department of Science and
Technology which is the principal instruments of technology transfer and development of
technology based enterprises of the government in the rural areas are upgraded through this

Act,

Section 3. Provincial S&T Directors ~ The position of the Office of the Provincial
Science and Technology Officers headed by a Senior Science Research Specialist shall be
upgraded to the rank of ProvincialScience and Technology Directors in each province under
the Department of Science and Technology with a salary grade of 27. ‘The Provincial Science
and Technology Directors shall have the following duties and responsibi

01. Formulate the Provincial S&T plan, programs and projects designed to promote
science and consciousness among the people in the province

02. Implements and monitors the technology promotion and commereialization
projects under the Small and Medium enterprises technology. Upgrading Program
(SETUP) of the DOSTT in the provinces

03. Promotes the adoption of appropriate technologies by micro, small and medium
enterprises (MSME’s) to improve operational efficiency and increase productivity
and to harness the results of scientific researchers and innovations to produce new
and competitive products.



04, Disseminate S&T related information and R&D results through the conduct of
fora and trainings.

05. Maintains effective liaison with the public and private academic institutions and
other government agencies engaged in scientific and technological research
education and training,

06. Coordinates with LGUs and academic institutions for the promotion of
scholarship programs aimed to attract the science oriented students to pursue basic
and applied seiences in order to broaden the S&T manpower-base in the province.

07. Coordinates with the public and private organizations in the implementation of
manpower and institutional development programs in the province

08. Acts as focal person for the inter-agency meetings, conferences and other
coordinative activities in the province, and

09. Responsible for the over-all supervision of services and operations of the PSTC

10. Ensures. that the quality management system is properly implemented and
maintained in accordance with ISO 9001-2008 standard in all aspect of operations
of the PSTC; and

11, Performs other related functions as may be assigned by higher authorities from
time to time,

Section 4. 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 commensurate to the upgraded position
of the Provineial Science and Technology Director at salary grade 27. The current PSTOs
holding the position for more than 20 years, shall have preference in the selection for
Provincial Science and Technology Director position

Section 5, Remuneration and other Benefits of the Provincial Director ~ The
remuneration of the Provineial Science and Technology Director shall be equivalent to that of
the same salary grade 27 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 6.

Staff of the Provincial Science and Technology Office ~ There shall be a
minimum of six (6) technical staff of the Provincial Science and Technology Office in
addition to the Provincial Director and in addition of one non-technical officer. The DOS!
shall determine the level of these positions, provided that prescribed qualifications shall be in
accordance with Civil Service laws and regulations.

Section 7. Funding- For the funding support for the implementation of this Act, the
Department of Budget and Management will provide appropriation for this Act. 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

All fees and charges collected as a result of S&T services rendered by the PSTOs
such as, but not limited to, metrological work and calibration services shall be used by the
PSTOs in the enhancement of their capabilities and in the maintenance of theit equipment
and facilities.

Section 8. 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 this Act.


Section 9.Separability Clause ~ If any part or provision of this Act are held
unconstitutional of invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected shall
continue in full force and effect,

Section 10, Repealing Clause ~ This Act repeals or modifies accordingly pertinent
provisions of Sections 2, 3 and 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 11.Effeetivity ~ This Act shall be immediately upon compliance with
existing regulations on publication.

ved,

Appr