Bill seeks restoration of inventors commission

MANILA, Philippines - A pending bill in the House of Representatives seeks to revive the Philippine Inventors Commission to promote, protect and support the welfare of Filipino inventors. House Bill 5152 tasks the body to be the lead agency in promoting research and development and providing support services to Filipino inventors and protect their inventions. The House of Representatives website listed the bill's authors as Buhay Party-list Reps. Irwin Tieng, Rene Velarde, and Ma. Carissa Coscolluela. In filing the bill, Tieng said the Constitution mandates the government to give priority to research and development, invention, innovations and their utilization. He noted government is likewise mandated to support indigenous, self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities and their application to the country's productive systems and national life. At present, he said the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI), which is under the Department of Science and Technology, is the lead agency implementing Republic Act 7459, which provides incentives to Filipino inventors and inventions. "However R.A. 7459 only expanded the function of TAPI but had difficulties providing the necessary support mechanism that will have a significant impact on the sector," he said. He said an agency, the Inventors Commission with the powers and functions promoting the welfare of Filipino inventors, was created under RA No. 3850. But he said the RA 3850 was abolished through E.O. 128 by then President Corazon Aquino when the bureaucracy was reorganized. "Right now, the need for re-instituting an agency such as the Inventors Commission becomes very relevant as the role of science and technology is more pronounced in economic development in the country and elsewhere," he said. Tieng said the proposed Inventors and Invention Incentives Act of 2008 will strengthen the mechanisms for providing the much needed support to Filipino inventors by rationalizing programs for research and development, the manufacturing and marketing of inventive ideas, products, processes and such other areas of technology development. He added the bill places the Philippine Inventors Commission under the Office of the President. Among its functions is to assist inventors, scientists and researchers in joining international competitions including market development abroad. The measure also provides for the establishment of an invention city or invention economic zone, which will be the site for public research laboratory, experimental station and manufacturing plants with housing facilities for inventors and researchers working therein. All functions, duties, moneys and assets referring to the promotion and development of inventions conferred upon the TAPI or DOST under RA 7459 will be transferred to the Commission. On the other hand, the Invention Development Assistance Fund under Section 7 will be increased and provided under the national budget in the initial amount of P500 million. The Philippine Inventors Commission will be appropriated an amount of P150 million for its initial year of operation and the succeeding years appropriation may be determined by such sums. These will be included under the general appropriations of the Office of the President. - GMANews.TV