July 30, 2022
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11914
AN ACT CONVERTING THE PROVINCIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER INTO THE PROVINCIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OFFICE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
SECTION 1.Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Provincial Science and Technology Office Act."
SECTION 2.Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy and duty of the State to fast-track the transfer of relevant and appropriate technologies and services to the rural areas particularly in the enhancement and development of technology-based livelihood enterprises in the countryside.
SECTION 3.Provincial Science and Technology Offices (PSTOs). — The Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTCs) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which are the principal instruments of technology transfer and development of technology-based enterprises of the government in the rural areas are converted into PSTOs: Provided, That the existing clustered area offices of the DOST in the National Capital Region (NCR) shall also serve as PSTO to be known as Clustered Area Science and...
Summary of the Provincial Science and Technology Office Act
Short Title and Policy Declaration (Sections 1-2)
- The Act shall be known as the "Provincial Science and Technology Office Act".
- It aims to fast-track the transfer of relevant and appropriate technologies and services to rural areas, particularly for enhancing and developing technology-based livelihood enterprises.
Conversion of Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTCs) to Provincial Science and Technology Offices (PSTOs) (Section 3)
- The existing PSTCs of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are converted into PSTOs.
- The existing clustered area offices of the DOST in the National Capital Region (NCR) shall also serve as PSTOs, known as Clustered Area Science and Technology Offices (CASTOs).
Functions of the PSTOs (Section 4)
- Identify the needs and opportunities in Science and Technology (S&T) in the provinces. (Section 4a)
- Implement DOST programs and projects on technology promotion and transfer, S&T human resource development, S&T promotion and information dissemination, delivery of technical and consultancy services, and other areas that will benefit the people in the provinces. (Section 4b)
- Develop institutional linkages with provincial offices of other departments, local government units (LGUs), academe, and nongovernmental offices for effective implementation of S&T programs in the provinces. (Section 4c)
- Perform other functions as determined by the DOST Secretary and the Regional Director. (Section 4d)
PSTO Head and Duties (Sections 5-6)
- The PSTO shall be headed by a Chief Science Research Specialist with Salary Grade (SG) 24. (Section 5)
- The existing position of Senior Science Research Specialist with SG 19, currently held by the head of the PSTCs, shall be reclassified as Chief Science Research Specialist. (Section 5)
- Duties and responsibilities of the PSTO Head include: (Section 6)
- Formulate the Provincial S&T Plan, programs, and projects for the development of the province/clustered area. (Section 6a)
- Implement and monitor technology promotion and commercialization programs like Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) and Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST). (Section 6b)
- Promote the adoption of appropriate technologies by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to improve efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness. (Section 6c)
- Disseminate S&T-related information and Research and Development (R&D) results through trainings, technology fora, and similar activities. (Section 6d)
- Maintain effective liaison with public and private academic institutions and other government agencies engaged in scientific and technological research, technology transfer and commercialization, education, and training. (Section 6e)
- Coordinate with LGUs and academic institutions for the promotion of scholarship programs aimed to attract science-oriented students to pursue basic and applied sciences. (Section 6f)
- Coordinate with public and private organizations in the implementation of human resource and institutional development programs in the province/clustered area. (Section 6g)
- Promote science consciousness and appreciation among the people of the province/clustered area. (Section 6h)
- Serve as focal person for S&T inter-agency meetings, conferences, and similar activities in the province/clustered area. (Section 6i)
- Perform overall supervision of services and operations of the PSTO. (Section 6j)
- Ensure that appropriate quality management systems are properly implemented and maintained in accordance with international standards in all aspects of operations of the PSTO. (Section 6k)
- Perform other related functions as assigned by higher authorities from time to time. (Section 6l)
Staffing Pattern and Appropriations (Sections 7-8)
- The DOST Secretary shall determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the PSTO in accordance with civil service laws, rules, and regulations, subject to the review and approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). (Section 7)
- The initial amount for the implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DOST. Thereafter, such amount shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. (Section 8)
Implementing Rules and Regulations, Separability Clause, Repealing Clause, and Effectivity (Sections 9-12)
- The DOST, in consultation with concerned agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act. (Section 9)
- If any provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect. (Section 10)
- All laws, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby amended, repealed, or modified accordingly. (Section 11)
- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. (Section 12)
Short Title and Policy Declaration (Sections 1-2)
- The Act shall be known as the "Provincial Science and Technology Office Act".
- It aims to fast-track the transfer of relevant and appropriate technologies and services to rural areas, particularly for enhancing and developing technology-based livelihood enterprises.
Conversion of Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTCs) to Provincial Science and Technology Offices (PSTOs) (Section 3)
- The existing PSTCs of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are converted into PSTOs.
- The existing clustered area offices of the DOST in the National Capital Region (NCR) shall also serve as PSTOs, known as Clustered Area Science and Technology Offices (CASTOs).
Functions of the PSTOs (Section 4)
- Identify the needs and opportunities in Science and Technology (S&T) in the provinces. (Section 4a)
- Implement DOST programs and projects on technology promotion and transfer, S&T human resource development, S&T promotion and information dissemination, delivery of technical and consultancy services, and other areas that will benefit the people in the provinces. (Section 4b)
- Develop institutional linkages with provincial offices of other departments, local government units (LGUs), academe, and nongovernmental offices for effective implementation of S&T programs in the provinces. (Section 4c)
- Perform other functions as determined by the DOST Secretary and the Regional Director. (Section 4d)
PSTO Head and Duties (Sections 5-6)
- The PSTO shall be headed by a Chief Science Research Specialist with Salary Grade (SG) 24. (Section 5)
- The existing position of Senior Science Research Specialist with SG 19, currently held by the head of the PSTCs, shall be reclassified as Chief Science Research Specialist. (Section 5)
- Duties and responsibilities of the PSTO Head include: (Section 6)
- Formulate the Provincial S&T Plan, programs, and projects for the development of the province/clustered area. (Section 6a)
- Implement and monitor technology promotion and commercialization programs like Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) and Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST). (Section 6b)
- Promote the adoption of appropriate technologies by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to improve efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness. (Section 6c)
- Disseminate S&T-related information and Research and Development (R&D) results through trainings, technology fora, and similar activities. (Section 6d)
- Maintain effective liaison with public and private academic institutions and other government agencies engaged in scientific and technological research, technology transfer and commercialization, education, and training. (Section 6e)
- Coordinate with LGUs and academic institutions for the promotion of scholarship programs aimed to attract science-oriented students to pursue basic and applied sciences. (Section 6f)
- Coordinate with public and private organizations in the implementation of human resource and institutional development programs in the province/clustered area. (Section 6g)
- Promote science consciousness and appreciation among the people of the province/clustered area. (Section 6h)
- Serve as focal person for S&T inter-agency meetings, conferences, and similar activities in the province/clustered area. (Section 6i)
- Perform overall supervision of services and operations of the PSTO. (Section 6j)
- Ensure that appropriate quality management systems are properly implemented and maintained in accordance with international standards in all aspects of operations of the PSTO. (Section 6k)
- Perform other related functions as assigned by higher authorities from time to time. (Section 6l)
Staffing Pattern and Appropriations (Sections 7-8)
- The DOST Secretary shall determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the PSTO in accordance with civil service laws, rules, and regulations, subject to the review and approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). (Section 7)
- The initial amount for the implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DOST. Thereafter, such amount shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. (Section 8)
Implementing Rules and Regulations, Separability Clause, Repealing Clause, and Effectivity (Sections 9-12)
- The DOST, in consultation with concerned agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act. (Section 9)
- If any provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect. (Section 10)
- All laws, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby amended, repealed, or modified accordingly. (Section 11)
- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. (Section 12)