Reorganizing the National Science Development Board and Its Agencies Into a National Science and Technology Authority and for Related Purposes

Case Overview and Summary

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 784

Reorganizing the National Science Development Board and its agencies into a National Science and Technology Authority and for related purposes.

- Primary Agency (Sec. 1): Reorganizes the National Science Development Board into a National Science and Technology Authority to provide central direction, leadership and coordination of scientific and technological research and development.

- General Responsibility (Sec. 2): The Authority shall formulate and implement policies, plans and programs for the development of science and technology capabilities and promotion of scientific and technological activities. It shall ensure the results are properly applied and utilized to accelerate economic and social development.

- Comprehensive National Plan for Science and Technology (Sec. 3):
    - The Authority shall formulate a Comprehensive National Plan for Science and Technology, to be approved by the President.
    - The plan shall mobilize and harness government resources for an accelerated scientific and technological research and development program and utilization of results.
    - It shall rationalize funding and budgetary requirements for research and development activities.
    - It shall provide guidelines for private sector participation in the government's research and development program.

- Functions of the Authority (Sec. 4):
    - Promote, assist, and undertake scientific and technological research and development in all fields. (Sec. 4a)
    - Promote the development of indigenous technology and adaptation of foreign technology. (Sec. 4b)
    - Formulate and submit the Comprehensive National Plan for Science and Technology to the President for approval. (Sec. 4c)
    - Prepare and submit annual national budgetary requirements and coordinate funding and implementation of the Comprehensive National Plan. (Sec. 4d)
    - Develop and implement a national delivery system for effective utilization of research and development results. (Sec. 4e)
    - Encourage and facilitate private sector participation in scientific and technological activities. (Sec. 4f)
    - Develop and implement a national program for strengthening scientific and technological capabilities through training, manpower deployment, and infrastructure building. (Sec. 4g)
    - Develop and maintain a national information bank on science and technology. (Sec. 4h)
    - Promote public consciousness in science and technology. (Sec. 4i)

- Organization (Sec. 5):
    - The Authority shall be headed by a Director General, appointed by the President.
    - The Director General shall be assisted by Deputy Directors General, also appointed by the President.
    - The Authority shall consist of the Authority proper, line agencies under its supervision and control, agencies under its administrative supervision, and corporate entities attached to it for policy and program coordination.

- The Authority Proper (Sec. 6):
    - Composed of the Office of the Director General, a Planning Service, a Financial and Management Service, an Administrative Service, and a Special Projects Service.
    - The Special Projects Service shall identify and facilitate development of special programs and projects on research results with economic and social value, utilizing the facilities of the Technology Resource Center.

- Line Agencies (Sec. 7): The Authority shall exercise supervision and control over the following institutes:
    - National Institute of Science and Technology
    - Food and Nutrition Research Institute
    - Philippine Institute of Volcanology
    - Forest Products Research and Development Institute
    - Philippine Invention Development Institute
    - Science Promotion Institute (formerly Science Foundation of the Philippines)
    - Materials Science Research Institute (newly created)

- Agencies under Administrative Supervision (Sec. 8):
    - National Academy of Science and Technology
    - Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (transferred from the Office of the Prime Minister)
    - Science and Technology Councils (except the National Research Council of the Philippines)

- Attached Agencies (Sec. 9):
    - Philippine Science High School
    - National Research Council for the Philippines

- Science and Technology Council System (Sec. 10):
    - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development
    - Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development
    - Philippine Council for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development
    - National Research Council for the Philippines
    - Each Council (except National Research Council) shall have a Secretariat headed by an Executive Director.
    - The Director General shall coordinate the activities of the Councils.

- General Responsibilities of the Councils (Sec. 11):
    - Formulate strategies and programs for science and technology development.
    - Coordinate with the Office of Budget and Management for research and development funds.
    - Establish and maintain a system to generate funds in their specific sector.

- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (Sec. 12):
    - Consists of 9 members, including the Director General as Chairman.
    - Members include representatives from the private sector in the field of health, appointed by the President for a term of 2 years.

- Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (Sec. 13):
    - Consists of 9 members, including the Director General as Chairman.
    - Members include representatives from the private sector in the field of industry and energy, appointed by the President for a term of 2 years.

- Philippine Council for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (Sec. 14):
    - Reconstituted to consist of 9 members, including the Director General as Chairman.
    - Members include representatives from the private sector in the field of agriculture and resources, appointed by the President for a term of 2 years.

- National Research Council of the Philippines (Sec. 15):
    - Shall retain its organizational structure as a collegial body.
    - Shall engage primarily in supporting research of a more basic and fundamental nature.
    - The Director General shall ensure clear definition of fields of primary responsibility between the National Research Council and the other three Councils.

- Commercialization and Utilization of Appropriate Technologies (Sec. 16):
    - The Technology Resource Center of the Ministry of Human Settlements shall be the implementing arm of the Authority for fostering and promoting the commercialization of available and appropriate technology.
    - The TRC shall be empowered to engage in venture capital development.
    - The TRC shall expand its existing information and cartographic bank into a National Data Communications System.
    - The TRC shall establish a physical infrastructure center to house its facilities and programs, including those of the Authority.
    - The TRC shall create a Livelihood External Assistance Program Office to oversee the implementation of programs/projects utilizing appropriate technologies with bilateral and multinational financing and/or assistance.

- Regional or Field Extension Offices (Sec. 17):
    - The Authority is authorized to establish regional or field extension offices as necessary.
    - The Authority may also have offices and representatives abroad, subject to the approval of the President.

- Advisory Bodies (Sec. 18):
    - The Director General may establish advisory bodies for science and technology development or seek advice from recognized scientific, professional, industrial, and trade organizations.

- Scientific Career System (Sec. 19):
    - A Scientific Career System shall be established within the Civil Service, covering scientific personnel with advanced degrees in any field of the sciences.
    - Features include entrance and career progression based on qualification and merit, parallel career paths, incentives and rewards, and other measures to strengthen the science and technology system.
    - The Civil Service Commission, with the assistance of the Authority, shall be responsible for the establishment and operation of the System.

- Science and Technology Communities (Sec. 20):
    - The Director General is authorized to establish science communities in appropriate sites, providing research and living facilities for scientists and their families.
    - Initially, an energy, earth and atmospheric sciences community in Diliman, Quezon City; an industrial sciences community in Bicutan, Taguig, Metro Manila; and an agriculture, forestry and life sciences community in Los Baños, Laguna shall be established.

- Appropriations (Sec. 21):
    - The balance of appropriations authorized under Batas Pambansa Blg. 131 for the National Science Development Board and its agencies, including those to be transferred to the Authority, shall be used for the Authority's operational expenses for the current calendar year.
    - Such appropriations shall be augmented by not less than fifty million pesos as necessary, subject to the approval of the President and upon recommendation of the Director General of the Office of Budget and Management.

- Abolition and Transfer of Functions, Powers and Resources (Sec. 22):
    - The National Science Development Board, including its Governing Board, Board proper and implementing agencies, is abolished.
    - All functions, powers, records, equipment and applicable appropriations of the National Science Development Board are transferred to the appropriate units and agencies of the Authority.
    - All references to the National Science Development Board or its Chairman in laws, decrees, proclamations and orders shall be deemed to refer to the National Science and Technology Authority or its Director General, respectively.

- Implementing Order (Sec. 23):
    - The Director General is authorized to issue orders, rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Executive Order, subject to the approval of the Office of Budget and Management regarding staffing pattern, organizational structure, and alignment of existing appropriations.
    - The Director General may appoint qualified personnel of the former National Science Development Board and its agencies to appropriate positions in the Authority, and those not appointed are deemed laid off.

- Career Executive Service Positions (Sec. 24):
    - All Presidential appointees of the former National Science Development Board and its agencies are laid off, unless reappointed by the President.
    - Career Executive Service Officers shall either be reappointed or reassigned by the President upon the recommendation of the Director General to appropriate positions in the Authority, or assigned to the Career Executive Service Board.
    - Those assigned to the Career Executive Service Board shall continue to receive their salaries from any available and applicable funds.
    - Those not placed to appropriate positions within 6 months after assignment to the Career Executive Service Board shall be laid off.

- Separation Benefits (Sec. 25):
    - All those who are laid off under the provisions of this Executive Order shall be entitled to all benefits and gratuities provided for under existing laws.

- Continuation of Functions (Sec. 26):
    - Except as determined by the Director General, all present incumbents of positions in the National Science Development Board and its agencies shall continue to exercise their usual functions, duties, and responsibilities pending the issuance of the appropriate implementing orders.

- Repealing Clause (Sec. 27):
    - All laws, decrees, orders, proclamations, rules, regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Executive Order are repealed or modified accordingly.
    - Sections 24, 24-a and 26 of Republic Act No. 2067, as amended, are reaffirmed in respect to the Authority, its line agencies and attached entities.

- Separability Clause (Sec. 28):
    - Any portion or provision of this Executive Order that may be declared unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying the other provisions, provided that such remaining portions can still stand and be given effect.

- Effectivity (Sec. 29):
    - This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.