Press Release
January 13, 2018

Sen. Bam continues work on reforms for Filipino scientists and start-ups

Despite the enactment into law of one of the committee's landmark measures -- Free Internet in Public Places Act, the Committee on Science and Technology, spearheaded by Sen. Bam Aquino, will not rest on its laurels.

When session resumes on Monday (January 15), Sen. Bam will continue to work on other important bills that will benefit Filipino scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs.

"While we consider the Free Internet Law as a major accomplishment of the science and technology committee, we are still eager to work on reforms for scientists and startups," said Sen. Bam.

These measures include the Innovative Startup Act and the amendments to the Magna Carta for Scientists. The Senate recently approved on third and final reading the Balik-Scientist Act via a 13-0 vote.

On Monday, Sen. Bam will spearhead the period of amendments for the Innovative Startup Act and the Magna Carta for Scientists as principal sponsor of the measures.

The Innovative Startup Act, for its part, seeks to give necessary support for business startups to help them thrive and compete in the market.

The amendments to the Magna Carta for Scientists aim to streamline the process of providing benefits and incentives to S&T government personnel.

The Balik Scientist Bill seeks to provide overseas Filipino scientist with financial benefits and incentives to encourage some to return to the Philippines and help boost the country's research and development.

The measure aims to institutionalize the Balik Scientist Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which successfully encouraged some of our scientists to return and contribute to research that will address development gaps in the Philippines.

Also on Monday, Sen. Bam will lead the period of amendments for the Pagkaing Pinoy Para sa Batang Pinoy Act, of which he was a principal sponsor and co-author during his time as chairman of the Committee on Education.

In his four years as senator, Sen. Bam worked for the passage of 19 laws, 11 as principal sponsor.

Principal sponsors have the responsibility of prioritizing bills in their respective committees, conducting hearings on bills assigned to their committee, defending the measures during the period of interpellation, consolidating proposals and amendments to their reforms, and leading the bicameral conference before a bill is passed into law.

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