The Philippine Senate passed Senate Bill 2484, or the proposed Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) Act, on third and final reading.
The proposed law seeks to convert the Department of Science and Technology’s Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTC) into PSTOs in provinces nationwide.
Once enacted into law, it will upgrade PSTC directors’ salaries from Salary Grade 19 to Salary Grade 24, or a five-step promotion. They shall also be entitled to reimbursable representation and transportation allowances and other benefits prescribed by law.
In his Facebook account, Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña announced the Senate’s passage of the bill, and said he was “glad to hear the news.”
Sen. Nancy Binay, sponsor and co-author of Senate Bill 2484, said the PSTCs have continuously provided, disseminated and transferred S&T know-how and support to the Filipino citizenry.
“The PSTCs are responsible for the technological transfer and development in technology-based enterprises of the government in rural areas,” she said.
“[With] the support of [the House of Representatives’] Committee on Science and Technology Chairman [Rep.] Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, there will be no more House version, so there is no need for a Bicameral Conference which will abbreviate the legislative process,” de la Peña said, and will hasten its signing into law.
Hence, the bill can now be endorsed by the Presidential-Legislative Liaison Office to the Office of the President (OP), he added.
If the proposed PSTO Act will be signed by President Duterte before June 30, it will bring to five the number of Science, Technology and Innovation legislations enacted under the Duterte administration with the advocacy of DOST, de la Peña pointed out.
The four laws earlier enacted were the Balik Scientist Act; Amended Magna Carta for Science Workers Act; Philippine Space Act; and Innovative Start-Up Act
DOST Legislative Liaison Office Director Lita Suerte Felipe expressed hopes that the proposed PSTO Act will be enrolled at the OP before May 31.
A comment on de la Peña’s Facebook post said if the bill becomes a law “it will be a much-deserved attention to our very persevering PST Officers who always make things happen, despite all the odds they have to face.”
De la Peña said he is also hoping that the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines Bill and the Science for Change Bill which have passed third reading at the House of Representatives will be passed into law before the end of the Duterte administration.
“To aid in our country’s development, we must equip Filipinos nationwide with the appropriate scientific knowledge and skills, as well as technical innovations. Let us use the power of S&T to uplift the lives of our countrymen,” Binay said in a news release.
Under the bill, senior science research specialist would be reclassified as chief science research specialist and compensation upgraded from Salary Grade 19 to Salary Grade 24.
“By reclassifying the positions of senior science research specialist to chief science research specialist, we are bringing the necessary resources and manpower to our PSTCs so that they can fully empower and develop local communities with science and technology,” Binay said.
She said government needs to harmonize and rationalize the compensation and support for the PSTC staff so they would be on a par with other government agencies.
“We need to prevent disillusionment and brain drain by taking care of their staff. It is necessary for us in the legislative branch to help them, especially in the staffing pattern,” Binay added.