Declaration of Policy
- The State regulates transfer and promotes adoption of technology for national benefit.
- Fast-tracking the transfer of appropriate technologies to enhance technology-based enterprises is a key policy.
- Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTCs) converted into Provincial Science and Technology Offices (PSTOs) to strengthen implementation of DOST programs and services.
Definitions
- Important terms defined include:
- Act: Republic Act No. 11914.
- CASTO: Clustered Area Science and Technology Offices serving NCR areas.
- Commercialization: Process of deriving profit from technology.
- DOST: Department of Science and Technology and attached/regional offices.
- Program: Interrelated S&T projects for specific goals.
- PSTC: Provincial Science and Technology Centers established under RA 6959.
- Reclassification: Staffing or position classification action per Civil Service rules.
- S&T: Science and Technology encompassing research, commercialization, knowledge dissemination.
- STI: Science and Technology Innovation focused on new/improved market products or processes.
- Technology Transfer: Systematic transfer of knowledge for products or processes, including IP rights licensing.
Conversion of PSTCs to PSTOs and Establishment of CASTOs
- PSTCs are converted into PSTOs to serve as the principal DOST instruments at the provincial level.
- Clustered Area Science and Technology Centers in NCR similarly converted into CASTOs.
Functions of the PSTOs
- Identify provincial STI needs and trends to formulate plans supporting GDP growth.
- Implement DOST programs on technology promotion, human resource development, information dissemination, and technical services.
- Develop institutional linkages with government units, academe, industry, civil society, and media.
- Additional functions as directed by DOST higher authorities.
Organizational Structure
- PSTO headed by a Chief Science Research Specialist (CSRS), Salary Grade 24, formed by reclassifying existing Senior Science Research Specialist positions.
- Position appointments adhere to Civil Service Commission (CSC) qualification standards and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) rules.
Duties and Responsibilities of PSTO Head
- Formulate provincial STI plans supporting regional and national science and technology goals.
- Implement and monitor technology promotion and commercialization programs such as SETUP, CEST, Science for Change Program.
- Lawfully enter contracts and agreements within authorized bounds.
- Promote technology adoption among MSMEs to enhance productivity.
- Disseminate S&T information and R&D results through trainings and symposia.
- Liaise with academic institutions, government agencies, and local government units.
- Coordinate scholarship programs to attract science-oriented students.
- Promote human resource and institutional STI development.
- Enhance science consciousness and public awareness.
- Represent DOST in S&T meetings and inter-agency activities.
- Supervise PSTO operations and fiscal management.
- Ensure implementation of international quality management standards.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Staffing and Organizational Development
- Regional Directors propose organizational structure and staffing for PSTOs.
- Proposals vetted by Undersecretary for Regional Operations and reviewed by DOST Secretary.
- Approval sought from DBM with issuance of necessary notices.
Appropriations
- Initial funding for RA 11914 implementation charged to current DOST appropriations.
- Subsequent funding included in annual General Appropriations Act.
Authority to Amend Rules
- DOST authorized to amend or supplement these IRR in consultation with DBM, CSC, and stakeholders.
Repealing Clause
- Conflicting existing rules, regulations, orders, resolutions are repealed or modified accordingly.
Separability Clause
- If any provision is declared invalid or unconstitutional, remaining provisions continue to be valid and binding.
Effectivity Clause
- IRR takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication in national newspaper or Official Gazette.
- Registered with the Office of the National Administrative Register at University of the Philippines Law Center.