As chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology, Senator Bam Aquino wants to prioritize a measure that will provide support for Filipino scientists and innovative startups.
In a media interview, Aquino said that the committee will focus on other priority bills after the approval of Senate Bill No. 1277 or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act on third and final reading via 18-0 vote.
“Ngayong naipasa na ng kumite ang libreng internet sa mga pampublikong lugar, sunod naman nating tututukan ang Balik-Scientist Bill upang makatulong sa paglago ng siyensiya at teknolohiya sa bansa,” said the lawmaker, who pushed for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1277 as principal sponsor and co-author.
“Sa batas na ito, hinihikayat natin ang mga Pilipinong scientist na bumalik sa bansa. Sa ngayon, dahil kulang-kulang ang ating scientists dahil sa brain drain, hindi talaga uunlad ang ating siyensiya at teknolohiya,” explained the legislator.
Senate Bill 1183 or the Balik Scientist Bill seeks to provide overseas Filipino scientists with financial benefits and incentives to encourage them 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.
In addition, Aquino said that the committee will also push for the passage of Senate Bill No. 175 or the Innovative Startup Act.
“Maraming startup sa ating bansa na magagaling. They have very good ideas pero nasasayang dahil nahihirapan magsimula ng negosyo at nahihirapan sa mga regulasyon,” said the very prolific lawmaker.
The Innovative Startup Act seeks to provide necessary support for business startups to help them thrive and compete in the market.
If enacted into law, the youthful legislator said that the Innovative Startup Act will make it easier for tech startups to set up and build successful businesses in our country.