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Presidential Decree No. 997 (Scientific and Technological Specialist Eligibility)

Presidential Decree No. 997 (Scientific and Technological Specialist Eligibility)

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Presidential Decree No. 997 gives civil service eligibility to scientific and technological experts based on their qualifications. 

This supports the government’s focus on science and technology by making it easier for specialists in fields like agriculture, biology, physics, engineering, and mathematics to join the government. 

Explore the full details of this law to learn more!

About the Presidential Decree No. 997

Presidential Decree No. 997, signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos, grants civil service eligibility to scientific and technological specialists based on their qualifications and public service requirements. 

The decree recognizes the importance of science and technology in national development and aims to recruit more experts into government service. It covers specialists with at least a bachelor’s degree in applied sciences, biological sciences, biophysical sciences, physical sciences, engineering sciences, and mathematics. 

If a board exam doesn’t cover their field, specialists can still get eligibility through a committee evaluation based on their research, teaching experience, or advanced degrees. 

This initiative supports scientific advancement and ensures qualified professionals contribute to government projects.

What Does This Law Contains?

  1. Purpose: This decree aims to support and encourage the development of science and technology in the Philippines and attract specialists in these fields to work in public service.
  2. Background: The Constitution states that the government recognizes the importance of scientific and technological advancements in national development. However, recruiting qualified personnel in these fields for government jobs has been challenging due to various factors.
  3. Definition: A “scientific and technological specialist” refers to someone with at least a bachelor’s degree in specific fields related to applied sciences, biological sciences, biophysical sciences, physical sciences, engineering sciences, or mathematics.
  4. Eligibility: Individuals must use the civil service eligibility obtained through those exams for fields covered by existing board examinations. A committee of representatives from vital scientific institutions will determine eligibility for fields without board examinations based on qualifications and experience.
  5. Criteria for Eligibility: To qualify for eligibility, a scientific and technological specialist must have:
    • Three years of research and/or teaching experience in their field, or
    • An earned graduate degree.
  6. Implementation: The committee mentioned in the decree will establish rules and regulations to implement these provisions, subject to approval by the Civil Service Commission.

Overall Goal: The goal is to recognize the expertise of scientific and technological specialists and facilitate their entry into public service roles, thereby contributing to advancing science, technology, and national development.

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 997

WHEREAS, the present development efforts of the government give emphasis to scientific and technological programs in keeping with national and global events;

WHEREAS, this is consistent with the provision of the Constitution that “(T) he State shall promote scientific research and invention”, and that “(T) he advancement of science shall have priority in national development;”

WHEREAS, the recruitment into the government service of more scientific and technological personnel has therefore become necessary;

WHEREAS, such recruitment has been rendered difficult both by the scarcity of qualified manpower in these fields and by the requirements of the Constitution and the Civil Service law and rules that merit and fitness for government employment be largely determined by competitive examinations;

WHEREAS, the Civil Service Commission which is responsible for the conduct of such examinations has not yet come up with a test that would accurately measure the capabilities of such personnel;

WHEREAS, there are now in the government service scientific and technological specialists who have dedicated themselves to government and who therefore need to be given some form of recognition;

WHEREAS, it is believed that the highly technical qualifications gained through education and sharpened by research and experience, of scientific and technological personnel can be considered more than adequate to determine their fitness and capacity for government jobs;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution, do hereby decree and order:

Section 1. It shall be the policy of the government to give support and encouragement to science and technology, and to attract scientific and technological specialists into the public service, realizing the contribution that they can make to push with greater vigor the development programs of the country.

Section 2. As used in this Decree, the term scientific and technological specialist shall refer to a person who has at least a bachelor’s degree with major in any of the following fields, or any bachelor’s degree with specialization in the same fields:

A. Applied Sciences, such as

  • Agricultural Science
  • Agronomy
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Plant Breeding
  • Plant Physiology
  • Plant Pathology
  • Soils Science
  • Horticulture
  • Medical Science
  • Physiology
  • Parasitology

B. Biological Sciences, such as

  • Botany
  • Zoology
  • Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Paleontology
  • Ecology

C. Biophysical Sciences, such as

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Health Physics
  • Environmental Science

D. Physical Sciences, such as

  • Physics
  • Meteorology
  • Geophysics
  • Geochemistry
  • Astronomy
  • Seismology
  • Archeology
  • Astrophysics

E. Engineering Sciences, such as

  • Nuclear Engineering
  • Geothermal Engineering
  • Metallurgical Engineering
  • Aeronautical Engineering

F. Mathematics such as pure and applied mathematics including statistics.

Section 3. For purpose of appointment in the Civil Service, a person whose field of specialization is appropriately covered by a board examination shall utilize the civil service eligibility arising therefrom.

Where a field of specialization is not covered by a board examination the scientific and technological specialist concerned as defined in Section 2 hereof shall be conferred a civil service eligibility if he is determined to be qualified by a committee composed of the Chairman, National Science Development Board, the Commissioner, National Institute of Science and Technology, and the Chairman, Philippine Atomic Energy Commission. The Chairman, Civil Service Commission, or his representative may sit in the deliberations of the Committee, as may be necessary.

A scientific and technological specialist may qualify for conferment of eligibility if, as determined by the Committee, he fully meets the requirements for three years research and/or teaching experience in the pertinent field, or an earned graduate degree.

Section 5. The Committee shall promulgate the appropriate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Decree which shall be effective upon approval by the Civil Service Commission.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 16th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-six.

(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President of the Philippines

(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) JACOBO C. CLAVE
Presidential Executive Assistant

Disclaimer

Conclusion

Presidential Decree No. 997, instituted by President Ferdinand E. Marcos, aims to enhance national development by encouraging scientific and technological advancement in the Philippines. 

It grants civil service eligibility to experts in these fields based on their qualifications, such as a relevant bachelor’s degree and experience or advanced degrees in specific scientific and technological areas. 

This decree allows recruiting specialized professionals into government service, recognizing their vital role in advancing science, technology, and overall national progress.

Glossary of Terms

TermDefinition
EmphasisSpecial importance or focus on something.
RecruitmentThe process of finding and hiring new employees.
ScarcityInsufficiency or shortage of something.
MeritThe quality of being particularly good or worthy.
FitnessThe condition of being suitable or qualified for a role.
CompetitiveInvolving competition or striving to be better than others.
ConductTo organize and carry out a task or activity.
DecreeAn official order issued by a legal authority.
VestTo confer or bestow power, authority, or a title on someone.
EncouragementThe act of giving support, confidence, or hope to someone.
AttractTo draw or pull someone or something towards oneself.
ContributionThe act of giving or doing something that helps others or brings about a particular result.
VigorPhysical strength, effort, or intensity of action.
SpecializationThe process of concentrating on and becoming an expert in a particular subject or skill.
AppointmentThe act of officially assigning someone to a particular job or position.
DeliberationCareful consideration or discussion of a subject.
PromulgateTo formally declare or publish a new law or regulation.
PertinentRelevant or applicable to a particular matter.

Reference

  1. Presidential Decree No. 997, s. 1976 | GOVPH. (1976, September 16). Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1976/09/16/presidential-decree-no-997-s-1976/