Presidential Decree No. 606 (PD 606) — Transferring the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission from the National Science Development Board to the Office of the President.
WHEREAS, it is declared policy of the Philippine Government
to utilize atomic energy for peaceful purposes to accelerate national
progress;
WHEREAS, the utilization of atomic energy as a versatile
tool in research and development has brought about unprecedented
worldwide advances in science and technology;
WHEREAS, there now exists an international consciousness for
the role of atomic energy as a vital source of power in the face of
worldwide shortage of energy-producing fossil fuels;
WHEREAS, as a major additional source of power, the
Philippines has decided on a long-range nuclear power generation
program, starting with the implementation of the first nuclear power
plant project;
WHEREAS, the peaceful contributions of atomic energy to the
Philippine national development is already being amply demonstrated
locally in agricultural activities, public health, nuclear medicine,
environmental protection, industrial operations and research;
WHEREAS, the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission is the only
government agency in the country, charged with the responsibility of
promoting and advancing the peaceful uses of atomic energy as well as
the licensing and regulating activities of atomic energy facilities in
the country;
WHEREAS, the increased utilization of atomic energy and the
nuclear power development program in the country have resulted in
highly demanding responsibilities and expanded functions of the
Philippine Atomic Energy Commission;
WHEREAS, the Office of the President needs to be informed
directly by the Commission on the accelerating pace of international
nuclear activities, in the interest of national security and public
safety;
WHEREAS, by reason of the above, it is imperative that the
Commission be constituted as an independent and more autonomous body;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution,
in order to effect the desired changes and reforms in the Philippine
Atomic Energy Commission, do hereby order and decree the following:
SECTION 1. The Philippine Atomic Energy Commission is
transferred from the National Science Development Board and placed under
the Office of the President.
SEC. 2. The Commission shall be under a Commissioner and a
Deputy Commissioner, both of whom shall be appointed by the President of
the Philippines who shall have attained distinction in nuclear science
and technology and with adequate administrative experience. Both shall
pass the necessary security clearance.
The Commissioner shall receive an annual compensation of not less
than Thirty Six Thousand Pesos and the Deputy Commissioner not less than
Thirty Thousand Pesos.
SEC. 3. The Commission shall continue to discharge its
powers and functions provided for under Republic Act No. 2067, as
amended and Republic Act No. 5207, particularly in such fields as:
research and development activities;
promotion of nuclear scientific techniques, and provision of
technical extension services;
training and education of local scientists and technologists in
the nuclear field;
regulation of the use of atomic energy to safeguard public
health and safety;
dissemination of information on atomic energy and the
Commission program;
participation in international conferences and meetings on
nuclear matters.
In addition, the Commission shall discharge the following
functions:
Make grants-in-aid for research into matters associated with
nuclear power or atomic energy;
Make arrangements with universities and other institutions or
persons for the conduct of research into matter associated with atomic
energy;
Disseminate results of scientific and technological research in
the field of nuclear science and the application thereof;
Encourage other authorities and persons to undertake
exploration for, and mining and treatment of, uranium and other special
nuclear materials;
Grant financial or other awards, bonuses and/or prizes to
deserving personnel and scientists;
Pay honoraria and/or additional compensation to scientific,
technological and professional personnel employed in the government or
its subdivisions and instrumentalities under such terms and conditions
as may be most conducive towards the attainment of maximum efficiency in
scientific research and studies; and
Impose and collect reasonable fees in connection with the
technical and other related services that the Commission performs in
accordance with the rates established by it. For this purpose, the
Commission shall issue such rules and regulations as maybe deemed
necessary: Provided, That the amount of such fees or charges may
be reduced or waived by the Commission in favor of scientists,
government agencies, and industrial or educational working in
cooperation with or assisting the Commission in its activities.
SEC. 4. All officials and employees of the Commission,
including its scientific, technical and professional personnel shall
not, during their continuance in office engaged in the practice of their
professions, except to render highly scientific and professional
services like consultations and to teach highly specialized and related
subjects.
SEC. 5. Notwithstanding the provisions of Commonwealth
Act No. 138 and such other related laws and regulations, as well as the
requirements of public bidding, the Commission may, subject to the
approval of the Office of the President, enter into contracts, or
otherwise make arrangements for the conduct of atomic energy research
and its development.
In implementation of such contracts or arrangements, the
Commission may, subject to the approval of the Office of the President,
make partial or advance payments and make available such equipment and
facilities of the Commission as may be deemed necessary.
SEC. 6.
The Commission shall establish a comprehensive and progressive merit
system in accordance with Civil Service rules and regulations. The
recruitment, transfer, promotion, and dismissal of all Commission
personnel, including temporary workers, shall be governed by such merit
system.
All officials and employees of the Commission shall be
subject to Civil Service Law, rules and regulations.
The regular
scientific and technical personnel of the Commission shall be exempted
from WAPCO rules and regulations.
SEC. 7. To carry out the
above purposes and for its first year of operation as herein provided,
an initial amount of twelve million pesos is hereby appropriated and
shall be made available from the funds of the National Government
effective 1 July 1974: Provided, That for this fiscal year and
every year thereafter, the amount of five million pesos shall be set
aside from the Special Science Fund to augment the yearly appropriation
of the Commission under the General Fund to finance its nuclear research
and development, training, regulatory and promotional activities.
Any expended balances in the appropriations of the Commission from both
the General Fund and the Special Science Fund shall accrue to the
Atomic Energy Research Fund.
SEC 8. All applicable
appropriations of the Commission, its personnel, records, equipment and
properties and including such facilities and buildings as are now
located in the Commission compound and which are being used in
connection with the Commission's activities are transferred as herein
provided.
SEC. 9. This Decree shall be implemented immediately and
shall take effect as of 1 July 1974.
SEC. 10. All laws, executive orders, decrees, rules and
regulations, contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this
Decree are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Done in the City of Manila, this 13th day of December, in the
year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-four.
(Sgd.)
FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President of the Philippines
By the President:
(Sgd.)
ALEJANDRO MELCHOR
Executive Secretary
Source: Supreme Court E-Library, Republic of the Philippines. Philippine laws are public documents (works of the government).
