Government Laws, Policies,

Plans and Project

Pertaining to Science and
Technology
CHAPTER 3
Science and Technology Environment
From 1986 to 2016
 President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino highlighted the importance of science and technology in
achieving economic progress. She helped establish the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST) which formulated the Science and Technology Master Plan 1991-2000.
 At that time, the Philippines aimed to be a Newly Industrialized Country (NIC). Succeeding
presidents have had their fair share of policies geared towards improving the sector.
 President Fidel V. Ramos introduced laws on inventors' incentives and science and technology
scholarships while President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo adopted policies focusing on a national
Innovation system and promoted technological entrepreneurship under the Medium-Term
Development Plan 2004-2010.
Government Policies and Laws Pertaining
to Science and Technology
Several laws have been enacted by Congress since 1958 to present. They are as follows:
R.A 2067 — "Science Act of 1958"- An Act To Integrate, Coordinate and Intensify Scientific and
Technological Research and Development and To Foster Invention, To Provide Funds Therefore
and for Other Purposes.
R.A. 3589 — An Act Amending RA 2067 Modifying the National Science Development Board,
National Institute of Science and Technology and the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission,
Extending Tax Exemption, Privileges and Grants, Requests and Donations for Scientific Purposes
to Private Educational Institutions and For Other Purposes enacted June 22, 1963.
R.A. 5207 — An Act Providing for the Licensing and Regulation of Atomic Energy Facilities and
Materials, Establishing the Rules of Liability for Nuclear Damage and for Other Purposes.

This Act was approved June 15, 1968 to encourage, promote, and assist the development and
use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes as a means to Improve the health and prosperity
of the inhabitants of the Philippines and to contribute and accelerate scientific, technological,
agricultural, commercial, and industrial progress.

Presidential Decree No. 49. s. 1972 established the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services (PAGASA). Its function was to provide environmental protection and to
utilize scientific knowledge to ensure the safety of the people.
Presidential Decree No. 334, s. 1973 created the Philippine National Oil Company to promote
industrial and economic development through effective and efficient use of energy resources.

R.A. 8749 — The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 was enacted by Congress on June 23, 1999 to
protect and preserve the environment and ensure the sustainable development of its natural
resources.

R.A. 8792 — An Act Providing for the Recognition and use of Electronic Commercial and Non-
Commercial Transactions and Documents, Penalties for Unlawful Use Thereof and For Other
Purposes passed in June 15, 2000.
R.A. 9367 - "Biofuels Act of 2006" - An Act to Direct the Use of Biofuels. Establishing for this
Purpose the Biofuel Program, Appropriating Funds Therefore, and for other Purposes.
This Act was enacted by Congress on June 12, 2007 to develop and utilize indigenous and
sustainable sources, clean energy sources to reduce dependence on imported oil.
R.A. 9513- "The Renewable Act of 2008" was passed by Congress to accelerate the development
of the country's renewable energy resources by providing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to
private investors and equipment manufacturers/fabricators/suppliers.
R.A. 10175 - Philippine Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 passed September 12, 2012. An Act
Defining Cybercrime, Providing for the Prevention, Investigation, suppression and the Imposition
of Penalties Therefore and For Other Purposes.
R.A. 10612 - An Act Expanding the Coverage of the Science and Technology the Teaching of
Science and Scholarship Program and Strengthening Mathematics in Secondary Schools and
For Other Purposes.

This Act shall be known as the Fast-Tracked Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 2018. It
shall strengthen the country's Science and Technology education by fast-tracking graduates in
the science, mathematics, and engineering who shall teach in secondary schools throughout
the country Towards this end, scholarships shall be provided to finance the education of
talented and deserving students in the third year of college and pursuing a degree or training in
the areas of science and technology and to provide incentives for them to pursue a career in
teaching in high schools in their home regions.
R.A. 10844 — An Act Creating the Department of Information and Communication Technology
(DICT) which was signed into law on May 23, 2016.
In accordance with the law, the Department of Information and Communications Technology
(DICT) shall be the primary policy planning, coordination, implementing, and administrative
entity of the Executive branch of the government that will plan, develop, and promote the
national ICT development agenda.
 Major Science and Technology
Development Plans
• Science and Technology Master Plan (STMP).
◦ This plan was submitted to the President in March 1989 by the presidential task force composed of the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture
(DA), Department of Trade Industry (DTI), Department of Transportation and communication (DOTC), as
well as the presidential adviser on public resources and three academic institutions directly involved in S &
T .The development of fifteen (15) leading edges to steer the country toward industrial development were:

(1)aquaculture and (2) marine fisheries, (3) forestry and (4) natural resources, (5) process industry,
(6) food and (7) feed industry, (8) energy, (9) transportation, (10) construction industry, (11)
information technology, (12) electronics, (13) instrumentation and control, (14) emerging
technologies, (15) pharmaceuticals.
Science and Technology Agenda for National Development (STAND Philippines 2000)
◦ This plan was initiated during the term of President Ramos and it embodied the country's
technology development plan in the medium- term, in particular, for the period 1993-1998.
◦ The STAND identified seven export winners, Il domestic needs, three other supporting industries,
and coconut industry as priority investment area.
◦ The seven identified export winners were computer software, fashion accessories, gifts, toys,
and houseware, marine products, metal fabrications, furniture, and dried fruits.
◦ The domestic needs included food, housing, health, clothing, transportation, communication,
disaster mitigation, defense, environment, manpower development and energy,
◦ Because of their linkages with the above sectors, three additional support industries were
included in the list of priority sectors, namely: packaging, chemicals, and metals.
◦ Lastly, because of its strategic importance, the coconut industry was included in the list.
National Science and Technology Plan (NSTP 2002-2020).
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), with the mandate of formulating S&T policies,
programs, and projects in support of national development priorities has remained, driven by
these guiding visions stated in the NSTP mainly:
By 2004, S&T shall have contributed significantly to the enhancement of national productivity and
competitiveness and to the solution of pressing problems.
By 2010, the Philippines shall have earned niches and become a world class knowledge provider
and user in selected science and technology areas, and shall have developed a vibrant S&T culture.
By 2020, the Philippines shall have developed a wide range of globally competitive products and
services which have a high technological content.
The 12 priority areas for
S&T development are:
a)Agriculture, forestry & natural resources;
b)Health and medical services;
c)Biotechnology;
d)Information and Communication Technology
e)Microelectronics:
f)Materials, science and engineering;
g)Earth and marine services;
h)Fisheries and aquaculture;
i)Environment;
j)Natural disaster mitigation;
k)Energy; and
l)Manufacturing and service engineering.