‘Balik Scientist’ bill passes bicam
The congressional bicameral conference has passed on third and final reading the Balik Scientist Act to encourage Filipino scientists and technologists abroad to come home, share their expertise, and help speed up the country’s development.
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, principal author of the bill, said the Balik Scientist Act aims to trigger the flow of modern technologies into the country by enticing Filipino scientists working abroad to come back home and avail themselves of the benefits and incentives the new law offers.
The measure, which institutionalizes the Balik Scientist Program (BSP), also seeks to widen the country’s chances to be at par with other countries in terms of science, technology, research and development.
The bill was passed bicamerally last March 6, with the principal author at the Senate, Bam Aquino, saying he expected President Duterte to sign it into law within the next two months.
Salceda said in the past, the country’s scientific en- vironment had experienced “a drought” because of the exodus of Filipinos with the “best minds” to countries that offer large pay and unlimited opportunities.
Established under Presidential Decree 819 in 1975 and extended until 1986, the Balik Scientist Program served as a message to Filipinos employed abroad that they now stand to be compensated well at home where they can share their expertise with compatriots.
The BSP was strengthened anew through Executive Or- der No. 130 in 1993 “due to the remarkable outcome of the program and the presence of highly trained overseas professionals who have the expertise in priority areas of agriculture, energy and nutrition development.”
Despite the BSP’s success, Salceda, however, noted that many Filipino scientists, technology experts, and researchers abroad have remained untapped because of few benefits and low pay, which the program has failed to address.