FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1149 
I(f' 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
10 JlIl 12 A') :02 
Science and Technology are key factors for all national development efforts and 
progress. An effective technological human capability is essential to a nation desirous 
of attaining industrialized country status. 
Science and Technology development, however, is not simply a matter of 
training more scientists or establishing high technology companies. Perhaps more 
important than these physical manifestations of technological progress is the 
development of a strong science culture that would enhance productivity and be 
reflective of the national attitude towards S&T. 
While the Philippine educational system admittedly plays a major role in the 
evolution and development of this national attitude, the Science for the Masses 
Program is equally important in developing a culture of science among the Filipino 
citizenry. 
This bill, as its title indicates; intends to strengthen the science and technology 
popularization program through the establishment of the Philippine Science Centrum as 
the National Science and Technology Learning Center/Museum, a recognized 
institution the world over in attaining our vision and mission. It shall be the focal point of 
the Science for the Masses Program under Education for all and be the center for 
community S&T education, information, and communication among the youth and the 
general population. It shall have the following major components: 
a) 
Youth Development 
b) 
Science Communication and Outreach 
c) 
Continuing R&D Programs 
d) 
Interactive Exhibit Development Program 
e) 
S&T for the Masses Program 
f) 
External-Internal Linkage and Networking Program 
g) 
Establishment of Regional Area Science and Technology Centrums 
h) 
Resource Generation program 
i) 
Manpower Capability Building Program 
These components of the program are meant to serve as additional venues for 
the dissemination, demonstration, and popularization of various S&T concepts and 
researches. Since the intention of the program is to reach out to the masses across 
different sectors, the use of various media approaches and educational strategies is 
also encouraged Thus, the bill also proposes the granting of incentives to media and 
private organizations engaged in science and technology popularization activities. With 
the approval of this measure, we hope to provide the 


needed impetus to boost the fruition of our dream of a truly S&T-conscious Filipino 
nation. 
2 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1149 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
I 0 <lUI. 12 1\ 9 :02 
AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POPULARIZATION 
PROGRAM THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE SCIENCE 
CENTRUM AS THE NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LEARNING 
CENTERIMUSEUM AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the Philippine Science Centrum 
(PSC) Act. 
Sec.2 Declaration of Policy. It is hereby the policy of the State that Science and 
Technology (S&T) are essential to industrialization, national development and progress. 
To implement this policy, the State shall: 
a) Support indigenous and appropriate scientific and technological capabilities 
and their application to the country's productive system and national life; 
b) Encourage 
and 
support 
private 
sector 
initiative, 
continuing 
active 
participation, and contributions towards national science and technology 
objectives so that entire resources can be hamessed to achieve faster and 
greater results for the benefit of the Filipino people; 
c) Promote the adaptation of appropriate technology for national benefit. It shall 
encourage the widest participation of private groups, local governments and 
community-based organitation in the generation and utilization of S & T; and 
d) Encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems as well as 
self-learning, independent and out-of-school study programs particularly 
those that respond to community needs. 
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Sec 3. Objectives. In implementing the foregoing policy, the State shall pursue 
the following objectives in active coordination and cooperation with the private sector: 
a) Recognize 
and 
support 
the 
Philippine 
Science 
Centrum 
as 
the 
institutionalized venue for the popularization of S & T through its 
establishment 
as 
the 
National 
Science 
and 
Technology 
Learning 
Center/Museum; 
b) Recognize and support established and operational Regional Area Science 
and Technology Centrum; and 
c) Rationalize the establishment of Regional Area Science and Technology 
Centrums in the different provinces and regions of the country. 
Sec 4 . Definition of terms. 
a) Philippine 
Science 
Centrum 
(PSC) 
-
the 
first 
interactive 
science 
center/museum in the country which features interactive science exhibits on 
S & T principles and concepts. 
b) Regional Area Science and Technology Centrum (RSTC) - refers to small-
scale versions of the PSC in the regions and provinces. These RSTCs cater 
to regional populations and are operated by the private sector in close 
coordination with local governments or DOST Regional Offices. 
Sec 5. Description of Program Components. The Philippine Science Centrum 
shall have the following components and programs: 
a) Youth Development Program. This program shall be designed to reach out to 
the youth sector and educate them on science, technology, and society (STS) and 
consequently consider careers in these disciplines. Whenever possible, it must be the 
national local point of youth-oriented projects and activities. The program shall provide 
the venue for youth science completions, training, research, apprenticeship and the 
like; 
b) Science Communication and Outreach Program. The program shall be the 
venue for information banking, access and dissemination of popular S & T principles 
and concepts utilizing various media approaches, educational strategies, workshops 
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and seminars, and traveling exhibitions. The program intends to reach out to the 
masses across all ages and sectors; 
c) Continuing research and Development R&D Program. This program shall be 
designed to undertake researches on the impact of popular S & T, especially on the 
new technologies, new programs on S & T popularization and other related activities. 
The program shall also design studies as impact indicators in relation to human and 
social changes both national and regional concerns; 
d) Interactive Exhibit Development Program. The PSC Program shall have as its 
primary objective the popularization of science through the development of galleries of 
centers for the participatory display of interactive hands on exhibits that demonstrate 
the principles of science and the innovation of applied technology. These exhibits 
should be the innovation of applied technology. These exhibits should be manipulative 
and especially created to achieve maximum cognition of S & T concepts through 
amusement, game-playing and aesthetic approaches. These interactive exhibits shall 
be complemented by science educational programs and activities. 
e) Science and Technology for the Masses. This program under the Education 
for all framework shall create an environment that would facilitate the acceptance and 
utilization of S & T to improve the quality of life of the population through access to 
basic S & T knowledge, skills attitudes and values. With PSC Program as its focal point, 
the program is designed to provide effective outreach to adults and out-of-school youth 
who have little or no access to sources of scientific information and knowledge, the 
students who need to enhance the scientific culture /Iiteracy for productivity. It aims to 
expands/intensify population of S & T through science communication, research 
development and training, and S & T outreach. 
f) External-Internal Linkage and Networking Program This program shall be 
designed to establish linkages with international S & T organizations in order to keep 
abreast with the trends and directions of S & T consciousness programs, science 
museology and educational programming. This would then promote the exchange of 
insights, skills and expertise in S & T popularization. 
s 


g) Establishment of regional Area Science and Technology Centrums. Local 
networking shall also be encouraged through the development of existing Regional 
Area Science and Technology Centrums and the establishment of the same in the 
different regions and provinces. It aims to extend the benefits of the program 
nationwide. 
h) Resource Generation Program. This program shall be designed to encourage 
private and public sector partnership in the formulation of fund generation schemes for 
the development and implementation of S & T popularization programs and activities. 
i) Manpower Capability Building Program. This program shall be designed to 
develop expertise and train personnel and staff needed to effectively implement the S & 
T popularization programs. It aims to develop S & T programs, projects and activities for 
the public's awareness, understanding and involvement in S & T. 
Sec 6. Philippine Science Centrum Program Coordinating Committee. There is 
hereby created a coordinating Committee to oversee the implementation of the 
Philippine Science Centrum act to be oversee the implementation of the Philippine 
Science Centrum Act to be composed of one representative each for the department of 
Science and technology (DOST), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of 
Interior and Local Government (OILG) and Philippine Foundation for Science and 
Technology (PFST). In addition, a designed representative from established and 
operational Regional Area Science and Technology Centrums shall be included in the 
Committee. This Committee shall be chaired by the Secretary of DOST. 
Sec. 7. Support Mechanism. The Philippine Science Centrum shall be granted 
the following for the development: maintenance and operation of science centrum 
programs: (a) a two (2) hectare land at the institutional Area of the Bonifacio Global 
City; and (b) funds for infrastructure development as governed by Sec 10 of this Act. 
Programs and plans for the utilization of the support mechanism shall be based on the 
priorities and guidelines formulated by the Philippine Science Centrum Coordinating 
Committee. 
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Sec 8. Incentives to Privates Organizations, Associations and Foundations. Any 
non-profit, non-stock private organizations, association or foundations engaged in the 
development, maintenance and operation of science centrum programs registered as 
such with the Department of Science and Technology shall be entitled to the following 
incentives; 
a) Any donation, contribution, bequest, subsidy or financial aid given to said 
private organizations, association or foundations, solely for the purpose of the science 
centrum program shall constitute allowable deductions in full from the income of donors 
or givers for income tax purposes. 
b) Upon recommendation of the Secretary of the Department of Science and 
Technology subject to approval of the Secretary of Finance, all importation made by 
said private organizations, associations, or foundation for the science centrum program 
shall be exempted from import duties and taxes. 
Sec. 9. Science and Technology Media Popularization Program. All media 
groups participating in this program setting aside print space, air and broadcast time 
shall be entitled to tax incentives, as provided by Section 6 (a) of this Act. 
Sec. 10 Funding. The government contribution to carry out the PSC Program 
shall be in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law 
and thereafter. 
For the first two (2) years of the effectivity of the Act, as initial funds for the 
infrastructure requirements of established and operational science centrums, an annual 
amount of two Hundred Fifty Million' Pesos (Php 250 M) shall be appropriated to the 
Department of Science and Technology, of which Two Hundred Million Pesos (PhP 200 
M) per year shall be allocated for the Philippine Science Centrum. The remaining Fifty 
Million Pesos (PhP 50 M) per year, shall be divided equally among established and 
operational Regional Science and Technology Centrums. 
Thereafter, One Hundred Million Pesos (PhP 100 M) shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriation Act of the DOST for the maintenance, operations and 
implementation of program components of the science centrums, any shortfall of which 
7 


. 
f. 
shall be generated from contributions made by the Philippine Amusement and Gaining 
Corporation and the Philippine Charity Sweeptakes Office. Of the above amount, 
Seventy million Pesos (PhP 70 M) shall be allocated for the Philippine Science Centrum 
and Thirty Million Pesos (PhP 30 M) shall be divided equally among established and 
operational Regional Science and Technology Centrums. 
Sec 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of Science and 
Technology, in consultation in the Philippine Science Centrum Coordinating Committee, 
shall formulate the Implementing Rules and Regulations to carry out the provisions of 
this Act. 
Sec 12. Separability Clause. If for any reason any provision of this Act is decreed 
invalid or unconditional, the remaining provision not affected thereby shall continue to 
be in full force and effect. 
Sec 13. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees orders or regulations or part thereof 
inconsistent with this Act hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
Sec 14. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect upon completion of its 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
8