Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 583)
The main purpose of Executive Order No. 583 is to establish the National Science Complex and Technology Incubation Park in the University of the Philippines, Diliman, to prioritize research, development, invention, innovation, and their utilization, along with science and technology education, training, and services.
Article XIV, Section 10 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides the basis, stating that the State shall give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and their utilization; and to science and technology education, training, and services.
The Complex and Park is established on a 21.9 hectare area in the southern sector of the University of the Philippines, Diliman campus.
The member institutes include: National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS), Marine Science Institute (MSI), National Institute of Physics (NIP), National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB), Institute of Biology (IB), Institute of Chemistry (IC), Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM), Department of Mathematics (DM), and the Natural Science Research Institute (NSRI).
The University of the Philippines Board of Regents is authorized to organize, manage, and operate the institutes and any additional scientific bodies deemed necessary within the National Science Complex.
The UP Board of Regents may organize member institutes, create additional institutes, centers, departments, and laboratories, and issue rules, regulations, and other issuances for effective implementation of the Executive Order.
Funding is appropriated under Republic Act No. 9358, with an allocated amount of Five Hundred Million Pesos (PhP500,000,000.00) to be released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) according to laws, rules, and regulations.
Section 4 states that all other executive issuances, rules, regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with this Executive Order are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
The Executive Order took effect immediately upon its signing on December 8, 2006.
The University of the Philippines is considered the best position to harness and organize other academic institutions, industries, and government agencies as the national hub for generation and application of new scientific knowledge, supplying competent manpower and technical support.