Consultations on tech transfer bill held

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna , Philippines  – Sen. Mar Roxas’ legislative team tasked to review Senate Bill 1721 or the Technology Transfer Bill consulted with the researchers/scientists and leaders from the research institutes in this university town recently.

The team visited the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)-Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) and National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). They discussed the bill’s salient provisions and sought the researchers/scientists’ comments and suggestions to refine the bill.

The Tech Transfer Act aims to provide an enabling mechanism for technology commercialization efforts by unifying and refining technology transfer policies in the country and providing intellectual property (IP) rights protection.

If enacted, the law will hasten the transfer of technologies or IP assets from research institutions to the public; and would ensure availability and accessibility of potentially important products or services. The bill will also allow the creation of spin-off companies that could provide jobs to many Filipinos.

The Department of Science and Technology, through the leadership of PCARRD, has been active in advocating for the approval of the bill.

Last year, the House version of the bill (HB 5208), sponsored by Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, was approved by the House of Representatives and transmitted to the Senate. — S&T Media Service