Online Application of Non-DOST Agencies for Certification to RA 8439

Guidelines for Evaluation The guidelines for evaluation are based on the IRR of RA 8439. The DOST Screening Committee have come up with revisions on the guidelines which is currently under review. The Screening Committee has become stricter in approving applicants starting 2003. 1. The applicant agency must first submit to the DOST Secretary a request for certification to magna carta. This should be endorsed by the agency head. The request must include the following documents as attachments:        a) Mandates of the agency        b) Organizational chart        c) Functions of divisions/departments in the agency        d) Memo on the creation of the agency screening committee. The agency must create its own screening committee to pre-evaluate its own applicants        e) List of applicants        f) Contact person (name, position, email address) 2. Based on the mandates, organizational chart and functions of the agency, the Working Group decides if the agency conducts STA (scientific and technological activities). 3. If the agency conducts STA, the WG gives the agency the go signal to input the requirements of each applicant in the database of the online system. 4. The website administrator provides the contact person, through email, a username and password for the system and the deadline for completion of all requirements (see Required Documents). 5. After the requirements have been encoded, the agency must send the required documents to DOST for validation and cross-checking with the data on the online system. The contact person is notified through email of discrepancies and/or missing requirements. 6. On the given deadline, the Working Group proceeds with the evaluation. 7. Applicants with incomplete requirements after the evaluation are considered DEFERED and will have to wait for the next Working Group evaluation/meeting. 8. Working Group’s recommendation is then forwarded to the Screening Committee for action. The DOST Secretary gives the final approval. Back to Top Required Documents Applicants are required to submit the following documents: a) proper endorsement by head of agency. If the agency falls under the government departments, the agency must request for endorsement from its Secretary b) Report of the agency screening committee which should include analysis of each applicant being recommended, signed by the agency committee chair and members c) Organizational Chart d) Functions of the division/unit/section where the personnel belong e) Certified true copy of Diploma(s) and Transcript of Records f) Certified true copy of service record g) CSC-Form 1 Position Description Form of each applicant, stating the percentage time devoted to each function h) If applicant is holds a Scientist rank, he is only asked to submit a certificate of good standing from the Scientific Career System and his appointment as scientist i) If applicant is contractual, certification that his/her salary comes from lump sum appropriation j) If the agency is not an R&D institution, the Working Group asks for the R&D projects conducted by the applicants for the previous year. The Working Group uses the following criteria in evaluating applicants: a) at least a BS graduate of Natural Science or Engineering. He may have a non-science BS if he has an MS or PhD degree in natural science or engineering b) devote at least 50% of his/her functions in Science and Technological Activities (STA) which includes research and experimental development (R&D); scientific and technological services (STS) and scientific and technical education and training (STET) c) hold a technical or academic position; administrative personnel are not qualified d) have CSC certification or PRC license Back to Top Requirements for Renewal of Certification The certification is valid for a year. Agencies may request for renewal yearly and must comply with the requirements specified in DOST-AO 10. The requirements for renewal are: a) Letter request from head of agency requesting for renewal b) report of implementation of benefits c) the functions of staff who have changed divisions or positions. Based on the new functions, these staff are re-evaluated. d) brief report on the STA conducted by applicants during the previous certification period. Back to Top Guidelines for Payment of Hazard Allowance to S & T Personnel Under R.A. 8439 known as Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other Science and Technology Personnel in Government 1.0 PURPOSE These guidelines shall serve as bases in the processing and payment of hazard allowance of S&T personnel involved in hazardous undertakings or assigned in hazardous workplaces 2.0 DEFINITION OF TERMS 2.1. Hazard refers to source of danger that poses risks in work areas, units and stations to which the S&T personnel are assigned. 2.2. Hazard Allowance is a compensation premium which is generally paid to officials and employees who are exposed to hazards, directly or indirectly because of the nature and/or location of their work. 2.3. Hazardous Areas shall cover any of the following: 2.3.1. difficult/distressed or hardship posts characterized by geographical distance, inconvenience of travel due to bad roads and conditions of the terrain, isolation, inaccessibility and/or extreme weather conditions; remote/ depressed areas; 2.3.2. work areas that are high danger zones to natural hazards; 2.3.3. work areas posing risks or danger to health and safety due to direct unavoidable exposure to radiation, communicable/ contagious / infectious diseases; combustible and explosive, dangerous and toxic chemicals and biologicals;harmful physical substances and devices; environmental, ergonomic and industrial service workshop hazards; 2.3.4. work areas posing risks and danger to health and safety due to unavoidable exposure to mental health institutions, drug rehabilitation centers and prison cramps: 2.3.5. strife-torn or embattled areas where conflict exists; 2.3.6. work areas declared as under a state of calamity or emergency; 2.3.7. such other areas that may be considered critical. 2.4. Depressed areas are locations where any or all of the following condition exist: a) None or low productivity crops and local resource for marketing b) Low income population or average income is below minimum wage c) Squatter's areas, slums, dumpsites d) Absence or lack of social amenities such as schools, churches and related facilities 2.5. Remote/hard-to-reach/isolated areas are locations where any or all of the following exist: a) No roads or trails b) No roads but trails only. c) Reached by hiking, animal or animal-drawn vehicle, small motorized bancas or motorcycles d) Unpredictable and irregular schedule of transportation vehicle e) Lack of and/or inadequate communication facilities 2.6. Directly exposed S&T personnel are those actually handling hazardous substances, operating or exposed to hazardous equipment or assigned in areas that fall within 2.3. . 2.7. Indirectly exposed S&T personnel are those who have frequent interaction with personnel of agencies who are directlyexposed to hazards and/or those who are working within the proximity of an hazardous area. 3.0 COVERAGE . S&T personnel who occupy plantilla positions whether permanent or temporary, on full-time or part-time basis and contractual, casual or emergency positions charged to lump-sum appropriations now existing or hereafter created provided that they conform with the provisions of Sec. 5 of RA. 8439 and are exposed to hazards due to the nature and/or location of their work are entitled to hazard allowance. S&T personnel are considered exposed to hazards when their workplace fall under Sec. 2.3 of this Administrative Order. Declaration of hazardous work area shall be duly certified by the Secretary of the Department upon recommendation of the agency head. The entitlement to the hazard allowance shall be co-terminus with the assignment of the personnel in the hazardous work areas. . 4.0 ALLOWABLE AMOUNT OF HAZARD ALLOWANCE 4.1. Personnel who are directly exposed to hazardous work areas shall be entitled to a hazard allowance equivalent to thirty percent (30%) of their monthly basic salary. 4.2. Personnel who are indirectly exposed to hazardous work areas shall be entitled to a hazard allowance equivalent to fifteen percent (15%) of their monthly basic salary. This amends Sec, 5.4.9 of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 8439; 4.3.Payment of hazard allowance is based on the actual presence in the hazardous area. A half day service shall entitle the personnel to fifty percent (50%) of the daily hazard allowance while service of less than four (4), hours shall not entitle them to the hazard allowance. In case of short duration exposure to highly dangerous events or phenomena, the head of agency may grant full allowance. In instances where, the personnel are providing service in strife-torn or embattled areas, they shall be entitled to one hundred percent (l00 %) of the daily hazard allowance. Payment of the hazard allowance shall be based on the length of stay in said areas. 4.4. Personnel who are entitled to receive hazard allowance under existing laws, special laws; charters or enabling acts may opt to avail of the hazard allowance under Republic Act No. 8439. 5.0 EXCLUSIONS . S & T personnel are not entitled to hazard allowance under the following circumstances: 5.1. Personnel who are on vacation, sick, maternity or study leave. However, personnel on study leave who conduct laboratory research related to the course, as duly certified by the school authority shall be entitled to this allowance. 5.2. Personnel who are on secondment or who are on full time detail to another agency. 5.3. Personnel who are attending seminars, workshops, trainings or similar activities except when said activities are held in areas, which are certified to be hazardous. It is understood that the personnel who are not entitled to Hazard Allowance shall perform their functions efficiently consistent with the requirements of their jobs. 6.0 PROCEDURE The Heads of agencies shall: 1. Determine who are covered under RA. 8439; 2. Determine who are exposed to hazards and the degree of exposure thereto whether direct or indirect; 3. Submit recommendations and their list of personnel who are entitled to hazard pay, to Secretary of DOST for certification of hazardous place and approval of Hazard Allowance. As provided by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) National Budget Circular No. 451 dated March 14, 1996, hazardous areas under 2.3 of this Administrative Order may be referred to Department of Health, Department of, National Defense, National Disaster Coordinating Council, Bureau of Corrections, Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and other appropriate agencies as the case may be, depending on the nature of hazard. 4. Submit the required documents enumerated under 7.0 of this Administrative Order. 7.0 CHECKLIST OF DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED TO DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DOST) 1. Application for accreditation 2. Activities/Functions of the Agency 3. Mandate of the Agency 4. Justifications for Claiming Hazard Pay 5. Name and positions of Personnel Entitled to Hazard Pay whether directly or indirectly exposed to hazards. 6. Certification of availability of funds from head of agency. . 8.0 FUNDING SOURCE Funds for the payment of hazard allowance shall be included in the appropriations or charged against savings of the agency. 9.0 EFFECTIVITY As a general rule, qualified S&T personnel under this Administrative Order as of February 4, 1998 shall be entitled to hazard allowance effective same date. For employees who have completed the required number of units in specific science courses and/or appropriate technical training on a later date, payment of hazard allowance shall be effective upon date of completion of said courses. For non-DOST S&T personnel, effectivity date shall be upon date of certification of the Secretary of DOST. Back to Top