SENATE President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada is pushing for a measure that strengthens the governance and management of the Philippine Science High School System.

In his Senate Bill 2859, or the proposed Expanded Philippine Science High School System Act, Estrada emphasized that while the efforts of the entire PSHS community are valuable and well-appreciated, the current system is insufficient to reach its full potential in contributing to the country’s development.

“In particular, if further enhanced, capacitated, and empowered, the PSHS can greatly help in addressing the country’s shortage of R&D personnel. According to the DOST, the Philippines in 2018 had only 356 researchers per million population, significantly below the 380 R&D personnel per million recommended by UNESCO to drive growth through innovation,” Estrada said in his explanatory note.

The bill aims to expand the number of PSHS campuses across regions to cater to deserving Filipino students excelling in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Providing scholarships for world-class education will help produce more professional scientists and R&D personnel, equipping the country with competent and innovative professionals that will lead the nation toward sustainable economic growth.