Miriam wants probe on non-payment of scientists’ benefits

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago has called for an investigation into the reported non-payment of benefits of employees of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Santiago said employees of the DOST and its 19 attached agencies have not received any of the benefits due them under Republic Act 8439 or the Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other Science and Technology Personnel in Government.

“The meager pay scientists receive is not enough to feed their families. Some scientists are buried in debt that they have to walk home,” she said.

Santiago expressed concern over the plight of scientists, particularly their meager compensation, which has left many of them demoralized.

“Some scientists are seriously considering early retirement and working abroad while others will study abroad and not return,” she said.

Santiago cited a report indicating that the Philippines is in dire need of more science and technology workers to comply with UNESCO standards.

“One of the reasons RA 8439 was crafted was to entice our scientists to stay and work here in the Philippines, rather than look for work elsewhere,” she said.

“However, it is disheartening that the law has yet to be implemented fully,” she added.

Under RA 8439, the government’s science and technology workers are entitled to subsistence allowance, longevity pay and hazard pay.

The subsistence allowance is equivalent to P150 for three meals a day and a monthly laundry allowance of not less than P150.

Science and technology personnel in government are also entitled to a longevity pay equivalent to five percent of their basic salary for every five years spent in government service.

Oswaldo Santos, science and technology assistant secretary for finance, was quoted as saying that the benefits under RA 8439 had to be suspended for some time because of a joint resolution issued in 2009 requiring the Department of Budget and Management to coordinate with concerned agencies first to determine their qualifications, conditions and rates in the grant of the benefits.