Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

House Bit No.6484_

Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Developments in science and technology continue to fundamentally influence the
way people live, connect, and communicate. These have brought about significant effects on
the country’s economic development. Science and technology are key drivers to national
development because the evolutions in these fields promote economic advances,
improvements in health systems, education and infrastructure.

To promote technological advancement in the country, the State must invest in the
human resources of those in the science and technology field. This bill seeks to remove set
limits on additional salary or honoraria for science and technology practitioners.

In order to develop our country as a budding leader in science and to ensure that we
reap the economic fruits of technological innovation, we must empower our Filipino
scientists, engineers and other science and technology professionals. Thus, the passage of
this bill is earnestly sought.

‘ALFREDO D. V@RGAS IIT


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL nyo 6484

Introduced by Representative Alfredo D. Vargas III

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8439, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT PROVIDING A
MAGNA CARTA SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS, RESEARCHERS AND OTHER SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY PERSONNEL IN GOVERNMENT”

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

Section 1, Section 1 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 1. Title - This Act shall be known as the “Magna Carta for
Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other $ & T Personnel in the
PHILIPPINES”

Section 2. Section 6 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 6. Salaries. ~ The existing law on salary scale of government
employees shall not apply in determining the salary scale of science and
technology personnel as defined in section 5 of this Act. A new salary scale
shall be developed by the Department in consultation with the Department of
Budget and Management and the Civil Service Commission, subject to the
approval of the President. IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE NO SET LIMIT
TO THE AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL SALARY OR HONORARIA THAT
SCIENTISTS CAN RECEIVE AS COMPENSATION FROM INTERNALLY OR
EXTERNALLY FUNDED GRANTS-IN-AID, PROVIDED THIS IS PART OF A
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BUDGET FROM THE FUNDING AGENCY AND
DOES NOT ENTAIL ADDITIONAL USUAL EXPENSE TO THE
GOVERNMENT.”

Section 3. Section 8 is hereby amended to read as follows:


Section 8. Non-DOST S&T personnel. - S & T personnel not employed
by the Department, who are involved in STA may avail of the benefits under
this Act upon certification of the HEAD OF THEIR AGENCY THAT THEY ARE
INVOLVED IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OR OTHER SCIENTIFIC
AND TECHNOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES.”

Section 4. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall remain valid and effective.

Section 5. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or portions
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

Section 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,