Title
Strengthening Science and Tech Scholarship Program
Law
Republic Act No. 8248
Decision Date
Dec 30, 1996
Republic Act No. 8248 amends the Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994, establishing the Science and Technology Human Resource Development Council and providing appropriations for the scholarship program, prioritizing scholars from underserved municipalities.
A

Functions of the Council

  • Coordinate science and technology human resource development programs.
  • Formulate medium- and long-term science and technology human resource development plans aligned with the national medium-term plan.
  • Develop policies for scholarship allocations in science and technology.
  • Create guidelines for advanced degree programs in science and technology.
  • Establish a career system for technologists and technicians complementary to the scientific career system.
  • Design training and retraining programs for scientists, engineers, researchers, and technologists.
  • Encourage professionals to return and practice in the Philippines with incentives.
  • Perform other functions necessary for effective implementation of the law.

Council Term and Reporting

  • The council's term is four years from the effectivity of the law, extendable by Congress.
  • The science and technology human resource development plan must be submitted to the President within six months after the law takes effect.

Budget Appropriations and Funding

  • Initial implementation funded by the current fiscal year appropriations of DOST.
  • Annual increase in DOST budget by ₱60 million until the scholarship fund reaches ₱300 million.
  • Additional funding from PAGCOR’s net income: ₱6 million per month for the first two years, increasing to ₱7 million per month for the third and fourth years.
  • PAGCOR funds strictly for subsidizing beneficiaries' expenses.
  • Scholarship priority given to graduates from high schools in fifth and sixth class municipalities.

Effectivity Clause

  • The law takes effect 15 days after complete publication in two newspapers of general circulation.

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