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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6647

Introduced by Hon. Salvador B. Belaro, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The most recent London-based Quacquarelli Symonds’ (QS) Ranking! of
the top 600 universities and higher education institutions in the world reveals
the Philippines’ poor performance. While the University of the Philippines (UP)
saw an improvement in its 2017 ranking at 367 from its 2016’s 374, the De La
Salle University (DLSU) sustained its rank (701-750), but the two other
universities ranked lower: Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU, 551-600)
from 501-550 and University of Santo Tomas (UST, 801-1000) from 700+.”

It is important to note the lack of priority being given to research and
development in the country, which is also considered a matter of concern in the
fields of sciences and engineering, as compared to other countries which are
allocating a larger percentage of its budget to research and development.

During the 1“ National Conference of Scholars of the Accelerated
Science and Technology Human Resources Development (ASTHRD) program
of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in 2012, the then Sen.

* Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Rankings is an annual publication of university rankings composed of global
overall and subject rankings. The methodology includes academic reputation, employer reputation, students-
to-faculty ratio, citation per faculty, international faculty ratio and international student ratio.

? Rappler. 2017. UP inches up in latest QS world university rankings.



Edgardo Angara disclosed the deficiency in the local science and technology
(S&T) manpower.*

Accordingly, the Philippines only has 165 S&T professionals such as
scientists and researchers—for every million Filipinos, far from the prescribed
ratio of 380 S&T professionals of the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Moreover, the Science Education
Institute (DOST-SEI) said the Philippines lost around 25,000 S&T professionals
to employment in other countries in 2009 alone.*

It is vital for the state to intervene and take action on the state of research
and development in the country. As the obsolescence of old technology
becomes faster, the need for critical mass of world-class scientists and
researchers should be done in an accelerated manner and the need for greater
funding and state support continues to increase.

The presence of annual science and technology expos in the country
would not just ensure an avenue for our young scientists to showcase their
inventions but this would also serve as path towards establishing our country’s
very own scientific cultural heritage.

This bill would steer inventions among our high school and college
students by promoting science and technology in the country through the
proposed expos.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

R
CONG. SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
Representative
1-Ang Edukasyon Party List

3 GMA News. 2012. PHL population sorely lacks S&T workers—UNESCO.
“Ibid.


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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6647
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Hon. Salvador B. Belaro, Jr.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE ANNUAL PHILPPINE SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY INVENTION EXPO, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Science and Technology
Invention Expo Act of 2017”.

SECTION 2. The State recognizes the indispensable and essential role of
science and technology in the globalized world. Thus, the State shall give
priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and their
utilization; and to science and technology education, training, and services.

SECTION 3. There shall be an annual Science and Technology Invention Expo
in all schools in the country. Provincial competition shall be participated in by
school level winners. Provincial level winners shall compete in the regional
level. Finally, the winners in the regional competition shall compete in the
national level.


Moreover, awards and prizes shall be given to the winning student
presenters and their coaches to further foster a culture of research and
innovation among our students.

SECTION 4. The Science and Technology Invention Expo shall have the
following objectives:
a) To organize local, regional and national science and technology
invention expo in the country;
b) To inform and organize the participating high school and college
students from various schools and universities;
c) To design and implement the categories and criteria to be used for
judging of awards and prizes; and
d) To consolidate, publish and disseminate all participating inventions
and make appropriate recommendations to interested parties.

SECTION 5. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in
coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and
Department of Education (DepEd), is herein tasked to formulate the
implementing rules and regulations.

SECTION 6. An initial amount of One Hundred Million Pesos
(P100,000,000.00) necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be
included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 7. If any provision hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the
remainder of the law or provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and
subsisting.

SECTION 8. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved.