Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
    EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) is 
one of the three sectoral councils of the Department of Science and Technology 
(DOST). It is a forward-looking, partnership-based national body responsible 
for coordinating and monitoring research activities in the country.
PCHRD was created on March 17, 1982 through Executive order No. 784. In
1987, Executive Order No. 128 reaffirmed its existence and relevance. This 
directive reorganized the National Science and Technology Authority into what
is now the Department of Science and Technology. 
This House Bill seeks to provide Modernization Funding to the Philippine 
Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), to lead the research-
based solutions and innovations to address health system needs. 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO 
October 27, 2022
4:43 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR MODERNIZATION FUNDINGFOR THE 
PHILIPPINE COUNCIL FOR HEALTH RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT (PCHRD), INCREASING AND REORGANIZING ITS 
ADMINISTRATION, TO PROVIDE THE RESEARCH-BASED 
SOLUTIONS AND INNOVATIONS TO ADDRESS HEALTH SYSTEM 
NEEDS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY – It shall hereby be a declared 
policy of the State to foster a national coordinating body for health research, to 
provide central direction, leadership and coordination of health research 
activities. To achieve this, the state is committed to do the following: 
a) Formulate agenda, plans, policies, and strategies for health
research.
b) Mobilize resources to support health research.
c) Develop and strengthen capacity for health research.
d) Support the development of affordable, accessible, and quality
S&T-based solutions and innovations.
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e) Ensure the dissemination and utilization of health research 
outputs. 
f) Monitor and evaluate health research activities. 
g) Establish linkages and partnerships with local and international 
organizations. 
h) Promote good governance among health research organizations 
through efficient, effective, transparent, and ethical health 
research management system. 
The state shall continually improve the effectiveness of our Quality 
Management System towards equitable development for improved quality of life 
for all. 
The state shall formulate policies for the efficient and effective administration 
and management of all manpower, skills and competencies to ensure 
compliance. 
SECTION 
2. 
MODERNIZATION FUNDING. – The amount of Five 
Hundred Million Pesos (Php 500,000,000.00) for the operation and 
administration of the Philippine Council for Health Research and 
Development (PCHRD) shall be chargeable against funds for the purpose and 
other sources recommended by the Department of Budget and Management 
(DBM). Thereafter, appropriations for the Philippine Council for Health 
Research and Development (PCHRD) shall be included in the budget proposals 
under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). 
 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall rationalize the existing 
organizational structure and staffing pattern of the Philippine Council for 
Health Research and Development (PCHRD) in accordance with the provisions 
of this Act and relevant compensation and position classification laws, rules and 
regulations. 


Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
modernization program, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act (GAA). 
SECTION 
3. 
PHILIPPINE COUNCIL FOR HEALTH RESEARCH 
AND DEVELOPMENT (PCHRD) MODERNIZATION FUND – There is hereby 
created the PCHRD Modernization Fund to be used exclusively for the (PCHRD) 
Modernization Program. 
The (PCHRD) Modernization Fund shall be administered by the Secretary of the 
DOST in accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting and 
auditing rules and regulations. 
SECTION 
4. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Secretary of DOST shall 
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the (PCHRD) 
Modernization Programs which shall be submitted, to the Office of the President 
and to the Chairpersons of the Committee on Science and Technology of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives. 
SECTION 
5. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of two (2) 
years:  
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, further, That the Philippine Council for Health Research and 
Development (PCHRD) shall continue to develop, modernize and constantly 
update its operational capabilities to keep pace with best global practices. 
SECTION 
6. 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS. – The Philippine Council 
for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) shall continue to exercise and 
uphold the following powers and functions; but not limited to: 


The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development is 
mandated to perform the following functions: 
 
a) Formulate policies, plans, programs, project, and strategies 
for health S&T development 
b) Program and allocate government and external funds for 
R&D 
c) Monitor R&D projects 
d) Generate external funds 
 
The primordial source of health research leadership and direction in the 
country, PCHRD resolves to foster healthier and more productive lives among 
the Filipinos through health research and development (R&D). As the focal 
point for health research and development (R&D) in the country. 
 
1. We provide leadership and direction in health and related 
R&D activities 
2. We rationalize investment in science and technology through 
a system of review of ongoing and pipeline projects in the 
government sector, and by influencing the private sector to 
support and implement projects that are in consonance with 
the Health Science and Technology Plan 
3. We develop and strengthen human and infrastructure 
resources of the health research network 
4. We implement a research utilization program to ensure that 
research products are properly disseminated among and 
utilized by their intended users. 
5. We facilitate the identification and packaging of health 
technologies for adoption and commercialization by both 
government and private sectors 


6. We generate additional resources for health R&D by 
pursuing active collaboration with local and international 
funding agencies. 
SECTION 
7. 
INCREASE OF PERSONNEL. – The PCHRD shall 
maintain the sufficient staffing pattern. Hence, it is authorized to increase its 
manpower to meet such required and may continue to increase personnel per 
percentage rate increase of committed mandates annually or as the need arises. 
SECTION 
8. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 
9. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
10. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
11. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
12. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,