President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. issued an executive order on Wednesday revising the existing implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the scientific career system (SCS).
Under <a href="https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/kmcd/Annex%20Reso%2012a-06%20Merit_system.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EO No. 17</a>, Marcos said amending the IRR of the SCS will make it "more responsive to the evolving needs of the country's science and technology human resources in government service."
Established in March 1982, the SCS is a system of recruitment, career progression, recognition, and reward for scientists in public service as a means of developing a pool of highly qualified and productive scientific personnel.
According to the issuance, the system will be characterized by the following:
<ul>
<li>Entrance to and career progression or advancement based on qualifications merit and scientific productivity</li>
<li>Career paths that will allow scientists to develop within their respective areas of expertise without leaving their status as scientists</li>
<li>Incentives and rewards to ensure the attraction and retention of highly qualified people in the science and technology sector</li>
</ul>
The SCS applies to personnel who obtained master's and/or doctorate degrees in sciences and are directly engaged in research and development.
The fields of specialization included are biological sciences, engineering sciences and technology, mathematical and physical sciences, health sciences, agricultural sciences, and all scientific disciplines determined by the Scientific Career Council (SCC).
The order also stated that the SCS will create a technical working group that will serve as its advisory body and screening committee.
The technical working group shall have five members: two members of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and three members of the National Research Council of the Philippines (NCRP).
Likewise, a Scientific Career Evaluation Committee (SCEC) will be established to support the system.

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PBBM issues order revising IRR of scientific career system