CAGAYAN de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez filed a measure that seeks to establish fully-equipped science laboratories in public elementary and secondary schools.

House Bill 1868 mandates the allocation of 20 percent of the gross proceeds of travel tax collections and 20 percent share from the net income of the Philippine Games and Amusement Corporation for the establishment of science laboratories.

The measure grants tax incentives to private entities engaged in Science and Technology development while private schools who shall import laboratory equipment/facilities will be given 20 percent tax deduction.

A three percent tax incentive will also be given to private entities engaged in the manufacture of laboratory equipment needed in public schools.

Rodriguez said that science and technology are vital tools for national economic development.

“Studies have shown a positive relationship between economic development and scientific and technological capability,” he said in his explanatory note.

The lawmaker stressed that the State should provide mechanisms to enable the country to be globally competitive and one mechanism is to create a science and technology educational program.

“To meet the demands of the times, we must start improving our Science and Technology educational system. We must increase infrastructure support to build and upgrade laboratory rooms and provide facilities in all public elementary and secondary schools,” he said.