By Charissa Luci-Atienza

The House of Representatives has unanimously approved a bill seeking to increase the benefits granted to the science and technology (S&T) practitioners in the country.

The Lower Chamber passed House Bill 8734 with 206 votes.

Under the measure, S&T personnel may soon avail of honoraria for services rendered beyond the regular workload and may also have the option to extend their compulsory retirement for completion of pending priority research projects of the government.

Covered by the bill are the S&T practitioners, such as scientists, researchers, engineers, and other S&T personnel in the government.

HB 8734 seeks to amend Republic Act No. 8439,” also known as the “Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers, and other S&T Personnel in the Government.”

The bill is principally authored by Reps. Alfred Vargas III (6th District, Quezon City), Michael Romero PhD. and Enrico Pineda of 1-Pacman Party-list, and Luis Raymund Villafuerte (2nd District, Camarines Sur).

“The bill aims to empower Filipino scientists, expand the country’s pool of S&T experts, and motivate them to continue working for the government,” the authors of the bill said.

It would be instrumental in keeping the necessary reservoir of talent and manpower that will sustain the country’s drive for total S&T mastery and advancement in the country, they said.

The bill specifically amends Section 7 of RA 8439, entitled “Other Benefits”, to ensure that despite laws and issuances on the Compensation and Position Classification System and Salary Standardization in the Government, S&T personnel defined in Section 5 of RA 8439 shall be entitled to honorarium.

Under the bill, such honorarium shall be granted to S&T personnel who rendered services beyond the established regular workload subject to the rules set by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

These S&T personnel include scientists, technologists, researchers, and technicians whose broad and superior knowledge and expertise on professional standing in an expertise in a specific field contributes to productivity and innovativeness.

HB 8734 mandates the government not to limit the amount of additional honoraria that may be received by the S&T personnel from externally-funded grants.

The bill also benefits S&T personnel not employed by the DOST, but are involved in Science and Technological Activities (STA). They may avail of the benefits under the Act upon certification of the head of agency for which they are conducting research and development or other STA.

The heads of agencies shall abide by the guidelines promulgated by the DOST for the certification of non-DOST personnel involved with research and development or scientific and technological activities and their entitlement to benefits provided in the Act.

The bill also provides that the services of a scientist who is due for compulsory retirement may be extended for a maximum period of five years, provided that the research project he is involved in is within the priority research and development programs of the DOST and identified as strategic to national development as certified by the DOST Secretary.

The concerned scientist should also be mentally and physically fit to complete the project. The request for extension of service shall be submitted to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for approval at least three months prior to the date of the compulsory retirement of the scientist.

The services rendered during the period of extension shall be credited as part of government service, and such extension shall entitle the employee to leave credits and other benefits.