MALACAŅANG
M a n i l a
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1003 September 22, 1976
CREATING THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
WHEREAS, the development of science and technology, among others, has been instrumental in bringing about the material progress of our country;
WHEREAS, in recognition of this contribution, the Constitution provides that "(T)he State shall promote scientific research and invention", and enjoins that "(T)he advancement of science shall have priority in the national development;"
WHEREAS, as a consequence, there has arisen the need to provide meaningful incentives to those engaged in scientific and technological research and to give due recognition to outstanding individual achievements in the sciences;
WHEREAS, it has further become necessary to professionalize the government's scientific and technological research services to further enhance its capability to contribute to the realization of national objectives;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby decree and order:
Section 1. There is hereby created the National Academy of Sciences hereinafter referred to as the Academy, composed of outstanding scientists to serve as reservoir of competent scientific and technological manpower for the country, which shall be attached to the Office of the President for general coordination.
Section 2. For the purpose of this Decree, a scientist shall be defined as an individual who has earned a graduate doctoral degree in any field of the sciences in an accredited University and has demonstrated and earned distinction in independent research or investigative study in the basic and applied natural sciences, including agricultural, engineering, and medical sciences, in mathematics and in the experimental social sciences as manifested by his published works in recognized scientific and technical journals; Provided, however, that in highly meritorious and extremely exceptional cases the foregoing doctoral degree requirement may be waived.
Section 3. The general administration and direction of the affairs of the Academy shall be in the hands of an Executive Council of seven members who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines from among at least ten members nominated by the Academy.
Section 4. The members of the Executive Council shall serve for a term of three years; Provided that in case of any vacancy, the appointee shall serve only the unexpired term.
Section 5. Any scientist who is a Filipino citizen of good moral character and in sympathy with the purposes of the Academy, may become a member of the Academy upon sponsorship of at least two members, subject to the approval of a majority of the full membership.
Except when terminated for cause or by voluntary resignation, membership in the Academy shall be for life.
Section 6. The Academy shall be initially composed of scientists who shall be nominated by the different national scientific societies and recognized research and academic institutions of higher learning and screened by an Ad Hoc Committee composed of the Chairman of the National Development Board, as Chairman and the President of the University of the Philippines, the Chairman of the National Research Council of the Philippines, the Commissioner of the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission, and Commissioner of the National Institute of Science and Technology as members.
The Ad Hoc Committee shall screen and evaluate the nominations on the basis of academic training and qualification as provided for in Section 2 and may confer membership by a favorable vote of at least four members.
The Ad Hoc Committee shall exist for a period of not more than one year after promulgation of this Decree.
Section 7. The Academy may provide its members the following benefits and privileges:
(a) Free publication of scientific and technological works;
(b) Travel support for attendance and participation in international conferences;
(c) Eligibility in the Career Executive Service subject to confirmation by the Career Executive Service Board; and
(d) Such other incentives, financial or otherwise, designed to promote scientific effort and achievement.
Section 8. The Academy is hereby authorized to establish not more than ten yearly awards to scientists for distinguished achievement in science who shall be accorded by the President the rank and title of "National Scientist." Said "National Scientists" shall each be given a gratuity of Twenty Four Thousand Pesos and shall be entitled to other privileges as are enjoyed by the "National Artists."
Section 9. A member of the Executive Council shall receive at least One Hundred Pesos per session of the Council in addition to the reimbursement of actual reasonable travelling expenses.
Each member of the Academy shall receive a gratuity of Six Thousand Pesos per annum; Provided that he publishes during the year at least one scientific paper or delivers one original public scientific lecture approved by the Executive Council.
Section 10. The total membership of the Academy shall not exceed Fifty at any one time. This number may be increased by a two-thirds vote of all the members and approved by the President.
Section 11. The Academy shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions and objectives of this Decree.
Section 12. To carry out the above purposes, the amount of Two Million Pesos is hereby appropriated and shall be made available from the funds of the National Treasury.
Section 13. All laws, executive orders, decrees, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Decree are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
DONE in the City of Manila, this 22nd day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-six.
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