Duterte signs law strengthening Magna Carta for gov’t scientists, engineers

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte  KARL NORMAN ALONZO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law strengthening the Magna Carta for government scientists, engineers, researchers, and other science and technology workers.

Duterte signed Republic Act 11312, which amends RA 8439 or the Magna Carta for science and technology personnel, on April 17 but was only released to the media on Tuesday.

The new law prohibits the limit on additional honoraria from externally funded grants that may be granted to Science and Technology personnel.

Government science and technology workers who are not employed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) may also avail benefits offered by RA 8439 upon certification of the head of their agency that they are involved in research and development or other scientific and technological activities.

The new law also allows the government to rehire retired science and technology workers, who possess technical qualifications and the capability to undertake specific research activities

It likewise allows the extended employment of scientists due to compulsory retirement for a period of up to five years if they are involved in priority research and development programs of the DOST.