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Department of Budget and Management
Department of Science and Technology

Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2013
June 25 , 2013

TO   :    Heads of Departments, Bereaus, Offices, and Agencies of the National Government, Including State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Government-Owned or -ControlledCorporations (GOCCs); and All Others Concerned

SUBJECT   :   Rules and Regulation on the Grant of Compensation-Related Magna Carta Benefits to Scientists, Engeneers, Researchers, and Other Science and Technology (S & T)Personnel
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1.0    Background

1.1     Under Section 22 of Republic Act (RA) No. 8439, approved on December 22, 1997, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in consultation with government and non-government agencies involved in S & T activities, was authorized to formulate the implementing rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of the Act.

1.2     On the other hand, item (6), "Magna Carta Benefits," of the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Resolution (JR) No. 4, s. 2009 provides, among others, that the Department of budget and Management (DBM), in coordination with the agencies concerned, shall determine the qualifications, conditions, and rates in the grant of said benefits, and to determine those that may be categorized under the total compensation framework. It further states that the consultative councils, departments, and officials previously authorized to issue the implementing rules and regulations of Magna Carta Benefits shall no longer exercise said functions relative to the grant of said benefits.

1.3     Pursuant to the compensation principles espoused in JR No. 4, the grant of compensation-related Magna Carta Benefits to Scientists, Engineers, Researchers, and other S & T Personnel, needs to be rationalized to ensure equity and uniformity in remunaration, while considering the unique and distinct needs of the highly technical and specialized S & T Personnel and the

¹ R.A. No. 8439 - "Magna Carta for Scientists, Enginneers, Researchers and Other S & T Personnel in the Government," approved on December 22, 1997 and took effect on January 20, 1998

²JR No. 4 - " Joint Resolution Authorizing the President of the Philippines to Modify the Compensation and Position Classification System of Civilian Personnel and the Base Pay Schedule of Military and Uniformed Personnel in the Government, and for Other Purpose, "approved on June 17, 2009 imperative to sustain the drive for Philipine economic growth through S & T mastery.

1.4 Moreover, there is a need to balance and harmonize the provisions of R.A. No. 8439 and the implementing rules and regulations on the grant of said benefits with the availability of government financial resources and the imperative to enforce the rules on the use of funds, particularly savings.