The National Innovation Council.
Section 6
SEC. 6. The National Innovation Council. - The National Innovation Council, hereinafter referred to as the NIC, is hereby established to develop the country's innovation goals, priorities, and long-term national strategy. The NIC shall be composed of the following: (a) President of the Philippines — Chairperson; (b) Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) - Vice Chairperson; (c) Secretary of Science and Technology - Member; (d) Secretary of Trade and Industry - Member; (e) Secretary of Agriculture - Member; (f) Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources - Member; (g) Secretary of Health — Member; (h) Secretary of Transportation - Member; (i) Secretary of Energy — Member; (j) Secretary of National Defense - Member; (k) Secretary of Information and Communications Technology - Member; (l) Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education - Member; (m) Secretary of Budget and Management - Member; (n) Secretary of Education - Member; (o) Secretary of the Interior and Local Government — Member; (p) Secretary of Foreign Affairs - Member; (q) Secretary of Labor and Employment — Member; (r) Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines - Member; and (s) Seven (7) Executive Members to be appointed by the President. The Executive Members shall be appointed from the ranks of business, entrepreneurs, academe, and the scientific community, at least one (1) of whom shall be a woman. There shall be at least one (1) representative from the MSME sector, and at least one (1) from the business sector. The representatives of business and the MSME shall be recommended by a legally established and reputable business organization. Those to be appointed from the academe and the scientific community shall have at least seven (7) years of experience in the field of science and technology, research and development, or innovation. The President may designate the Executive Secretary to attend on his behalf and preside over the meetings of the NIC. The Department Secretaries and other members may not designate alternate representatives other than their respective undersecretaries to the meetings of the NIC. Majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.