President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued an executive order amending the implementing rules and regulations of the scientific career system under a previous presidential order, Malacañang announced on Wednesday.

The President issued Executive Order no. 17 or the “Revising the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Scientific Career System Under Executive Order No. 901 (S.1983)” on 20 February 2023.

In issuing the latest EO, Marcos explained it is vital to update the existing IRR of the SCS to respond “to the evolving needs of the country’s science and technology human resources in government service.”

Under the EO, the SCS will be a system of “recruitment, career progression, recognition and reward of scientists in public service aimed at developing a pool of highly qualified and productive scientific personnel.”

It added that the system will be characterized by career progression or advancement based on qualifications, merit and scientific productivity, and career path of scientists.

The system also provides incentives and rewards in a bid to attract and retain highly qualified personnel in the science and technology sector.

“It applies to scientific personnel with master’s and doctorate degrees in sciences who are directly involved in research and development, covering biological sciences, engineering and technology, mathematical and physical sciences, health and agricultural sciences, as well as all scientific disciplines determined by the Scientific Career Council,” the EO read.

It further stated: “The SCS’s administration system will be composed of the chairperson of the CSC as ex-officio chairperson, the secretary of the Department of Science and Technology as ex-officio co-chairperson, and other ex-officio members.”