DEC.

22, 2011 DATE

NR # 2625
REF. NO.

Solons want to institutionalize Balik Scientist Program

Lawmakers are pushing for the passage of a bill seeking to institutionalize the Balik Scientist Program to address the diminishing number of scientists and researchers in the country. Reps. Angelo Palmones (Party-list AGHAM) and Julio Ledesma (1st District, Negros Occidental) filed House Bill 5414, to be known as the Balik Scientist Act of 2011, to strengthen the scientific and technological human resources of academic, public and private institutions and to accelerate the flow of technologies that would stimulate the development of new or strategically important technologies that are vital to national development and progress. Palmones wanted to tap Filipino scientists, technology experts and researchers outside the country. By institutionalizing and strengthening BSP through legislative fiat and including better incentives and benefits, we hope to draw these Filipino experts to return to the country, he said. We are hoping that our Filipino scientists, technology experts and researchers who are now in other countries would come back and share even for a limited period of time and hopefully for good, their knowledge and expertise, thereby helping the country attain its objective of accelerating economic and social development, through this measure, Palmones said. The bill defines Balik scientist as a technology expert or professional, who is a Filipino citizen or a foreigner of Filipino descent, residing abroad, working with any public or private entity or graduate from a Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-recognized foreign science and technology institution and contracted by the government to return and work in the Philippines in his or her field of expertise. The Balik Scientist Program shall prioritize the areas of alternative fuel, biotechnology, ICT, pharmaceutical, and environment. However, these priority areas shall be subject to review by the Secretary and may be modified depending on the needs and programs of the government. Under the bill, incentives, which awardees may receive under the Balik Scientist Program include short term program, free round-trip economy airfare from the foreign country to the Philippines by direct route, and other privileges that may be given under the short-term program implementing guidelines, daily subsistence allowance and grants-in-aid (GIA) for research and development projects. On the long-term program, incentives include free one-way economy airfare from a foreign country to the Philippines, plus airfare for the spouse and two minor dependents, and free return trip economy airfare after completion of the Balik Scientist program. Also included in the incentives would be the excess baggage allowance and relocation allowance to be determined by the DOST, duty and tax-free importation of personal effects, professional instruments, and motor vehicle, educational support for two minor dependents and housing, among others. The BSP was established pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 819 issued on October 24, 1975 effective for five years and was extended up to October 1986 through a Letter of Instruction No. 1044 issued on July 18 1980. The program has been dormant for almost a decade after the expiration of the period of extension, Palmones said. However, Palmones said, due to the remarkable outcome of the program as well as the presence of still many highly trained overseas Filipino professionals who have the expertise along the government priority areas of agriculture, energy and nutrition development, the BSP has been revived and instituted under the Department of Science and Technology through E. O. 130 issued on October 25, 1993. (30) sb