Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 7835

Introduced by HON. ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE,

Experience tells us that Science and Technology (S&T) and economic development
are directly correlated. And one of the important, if not the most important aspect in
advancing S&T of a country is improving its Science Education, especially in the basic
education level since this serves as the foundation of higher learning.

Development in the field of Science and Technology is rapidly changing and in effect
also changing the social environment. Our country needs to be abreast in S&T if we want to
be competitive with the rest of the world, specifically our human resource which is one of our
most important economic assets. To do this, we need to invest on Science education.

Science is not only for the “initiates” or the intellectual elite of a society. Science
should be for everyone and available to every learner, whether in elementary, high school or
higher education, To realize this, we need to improve our infrastructure by building enough
science classrooms and providing them with equipment.

Science is both content and process and it goes beyond learning and understanding of
basic concepts. Learners should learn the skills and methods of Science by doing Science. It
should not rely only on textbooks, rather teachers should encourage learners to use hands-on
learning activities to better understand Science. Students or pupils should be active learners
and in so doing become more interested in Science.

Science education should nurture on learners the capacity to apply Scientific concepts
and processes in daily life and in improving their lives.

The intent of this measure is to provide an environment that foster learning Science by
doing science through improving the educational infrastructure.

With these, the timely passage of this measure is highly sought.

ene 6. OH,

ERIC L. OLIVAREZ


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 7895

Introduced by HON. ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

AN ACT REQUIRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FULLY-EQUIPPED SCIENCE
LABORATORIES IN EVERY PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY
SCHOOL AND FOR OTHER PURPOSE

SECTION I. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Science Laboratory for Basic Education
Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared a policy of the State to give priority to
scientific and technological efforts vital to national development. It has been proven that
industrialization can be achieved if schools adopt modem methods of teaching Science and
‘Technology during the early stages of education,

Furthermore, the Constitution provides that the right of teachers to professional
advancement should be enhanced. With this mandate, quality education shall be ensured,

SEC. 3. Objectives. This Act aims to attain the following objectives within the period of
five (5) years.

a. To improve the quality of Science and Technology education in the country;

b. To provide basic and advance S&T education in elementary and high school
respectively, in preparation for higher education;

©. To teach the students the effective use and operation of modern laboratory
equipment and facility related to Science and Technology; and,

4d. To train S&T teachers the use of modem laboratory equipment so that they will be
more effective in demonstrating their uses.

SEC. 4. Proposed System. ~ This Act shall provide the following:

Construction of laboratory buildings
Provide required laboratory equipment and facilities;

Continuous development and updating of standards for facilities;
Strengthen partnership between public and private institutions in promoting
Science and Technology;

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€. Strengthen the coordination between the Regional Science and Technology
Teaching Centers (RSTCs) and the Department of Education regional offices in
monitoring/utilization of laboratory equipment;

£. Train Math and Science teachers the proper use and maintenance of laboratory
facilities equipment;

8. Create required laboratory technician positions at least for every elementary and
secondary schools for operation, repair and maintenance of laboratory equipment
(or alternative scheme of maintenance) and fac

h. Provide replacement and assistance of Science and Technology;

i. The number of laboratory rooms/facilities per school shall be determined by
Science and Technology experts of DOST and ISMED.

J. The building, plan and design shall be drawn and approved by DOST-SEL

SEC. 5. Funding Source. ~ In addition to the funds to be provided by the Legislature, this Act
shall receive funding support from the following:

a. Twenty percent (20%) share from the gross proceeds of travel tax collections over
and above the share of the National government therefrom;

b. Twenty percent (20%) share from the net income of the Philippine Games and
Amusement Corporation (PAGCOR) over and above the franchise tax and the
corporate income tax therefrom.

SEC. 6. Incentives. — Incentives shall be given to the following:

a. Tax incentives shall be given to private er
development;

ies engaging in S&T and

b. Private schools who shall import laboratory equipment/facilities for the exclusive
use in their school shall be given a twenty percent (20%) tax deduction from the
total revenue obligations;

©. Private entities engaged in the manufacture of laboratory equipment needed in
Public schools shall be given a three percent (3%) tax incentive/deduction from
the importation of raw materials.

SEC. 7. Disposition of Funds. ~ The Fund shall be utilized for the construction of schoo!
laboratories including equipment/facilities and the creation of required positions of a
technician in every public elementary and high schools throughout the country.

‘The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Science Education
Institute (SEI) in coordination with the regional offices of DepEd and the RSTCs shall
implement the program. The abovementioned offices shall also monitor the utilization and
maintenance of the equipment.


SEC. 8. Appropriations. ~ The amount necessary to cover the initial implementation of this
Act shall be taken from the current year’s appropriation of the DepEd and DOST .
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall
be included in the annual general Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Implementation. — The implementation of the activities of this Act shall be
undertaken by SEI in coordination with the RSTCs and DepEd Regional Offices

The maximum number of pupils/students in every laboratory class must not exceed
fifty (50) and there must be at least one laboratory room for every forty-five (45)
pupils/students,

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. — If for any reason, any provision or part hereof, is held invalid
OF unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting,

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
amended accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. —This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation,

Approved,