Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

17% Congress
Second Regular Session

5912

HOUSE BILL NO, — “~~

Introduced by: HON. LORNA C. SILVERIO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Filipino scientists have been internationally renowned for their
breakthrough achievements in the field of science. We stand proud as a nation
and deeply recognize the efforts in making the Filipino stand out from the rest
inspite of the lack of resources provided by the government. In 1966, Dr.
Rodolfo Aquino isolated nine specific breeds of rice for the International Rice
Research Institute in Laguna which eventually helped eradicate future famine
during that time. Also around that same era, around 1968, a project leader for
the moon buggy development program at the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), Eduardo San Juan facilitated and oversaw its
completion and was eventually used for exploratory purposes. These are just
two of the numerous achievements which sadly was relegated as a footnote in
a research paper. Lack of benefits, incentives and recognition makes the
“Brain Drain” inevitable and therefore disadvantageous to the nation.

This bill espouses the need to provide benefits and incentives to our
local scientists and experts in the field of science and technology and aim to be
at par with the rest of the world.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

LORNA C. SILVERIO


Republic of the Philippine
HOUSE OF REPRESE)

17% Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5912

Introduced by: HON. LORNA C. SILVERIO

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE BALIK SCIENTIST PROGRAM APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
Assembled:

SEC |. Title, This Act shall be known as the "Balik - Scientist Act of 2017”

SEC 2, Declaration of State Policy. The State recognizes that the utilization of the expertise of
expatriate Filipino scientists and technologist is a vital component of the nation's political,
economic and social development efforts. Hence, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the
State to encourage Filipino scientists and technology experts from abroad to return 0 the
Philippines and share their expertise to accelerate the development of the country. Towards this
end, any foreign-based scientist, professional, technician, or any person with special skills or
expertise who is of Filipino descent shall be allowed to share his or her profession or expertise in
the Philippines in accordance with the implementing rules and regulations which shall be
promulgated by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in consultation with
relevant agencies of the government and non- government organizations.

SEC 3. General Objective. This Act aims to strengthen the scientific and technological human
resources of the academe, public institutions and domestic corporations in order to promote
knowledge sharing and accelerate the flow of new technologies into the country.

SEC 4, Definition of Balik Scientist. A “ Balik Scientist” is a science and technology expert or
professional, as certified by DOST, who is a Filipino citizen or a foreigner of Filipino descent,
residing abroad, and contracted by the government to return and serve in the Philippines along a
particular field of expertise for a short term award with a duration of at least 30 days per award
to be served within 1 year from the date of the award or long term award with a duration of
twenty four to thirty six (24-36) months subject to renewal, when necessary, to be determined by
the DOST and to be served within (5) years from the date of the award.



SEC 5, Incentives

A, Short Term Award:

2.

x 4

Provision of one (1) free round trip airfare originating from a foreign country to the
Philippines;

Reimbursement of expenses for excess baggage allowance related to scientific project
or activities;

Daily allowance to be determined by DOST shall be exempt from income tax.
Exemption from licensing or permit requirement of the Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC); Provided, that the DOST shall submit to the PRC the list of
“Balik Scientists” whom it has certified prior to the award. Provided further, that
accomplishment reports of these “ Balik Scientists” shall likewise be furnished by the
DOST to the PRC at the end of each award;

Exemption from taxes and duties for donation of instruments and materials related to
the scientific program or activities; Provided, that the donation shall be for the
account of the DOST; Provided further, that freight and storage expenses shall be
borne by the host institution; and

Participation in Grants-in-Aid (GIA) research and development project’s of the DOST
subject to guidelines to be provided in the implementing rules and regulations,

B. Long Term Award o

1.

auae

Provision of one way (1) free airfare from a foreign country to the Philippines,
including airfare for the spouse and two (2) minor dependents, and one (1) free return
trip airfare after completion of the award;

Reimbursement of expenses for excess baggage allowance related to scientific project
or activities;

Relocation allowance to be determined by DOST.

Monthly allowance to be determined by DOST shall be exempt from income tax:
Housing may be arranged by pre-determined host institutions;

As determined by DOST, duty and tax free importation of personal effects and
professional instruments and materials in quantities and of class suitable to the
profession, rank, or position of the Balik Scientist importing them for their own use
and not for barter or sale in accordance with Section 105 of the Tariff Code, Duty and
tax free importation of | unit second hand motor vehicle with gross vehicle weight
(GVW) not exceeding 3000 kgs subject to classification standard of motor vehicle
transported set forth by the Bureau of Customs; Provided, that the grantee under the
short term program shall likewise be entitled to this benefit who shall decide to avail
of the long term award; Provided futher. That the grantee shall abide by the rules and
regulations under the no-dollar import (NDI) program of the DTI-Bureau of Import
Servi A certificate of endorsement from the DOST shall be submitted in lieu of
the required personal appearance; Provided finally, that the grantee shall be exempted
from posting of bond and exportation of the motor vehicle to the country of origin
upon expiration of the award:

Exemption from taxes and duties for donation of equipment, instruments and
materials related to the scientific program or activities; Provided, that the donation



shall be for the account of DOST; Provided further, that freight and storage expenses
shall be borne by the host institution;

8. Reimbursement of expenses for the surface shipment of personal houschold effects
and professional instruments, including one (1) motor vehicle the total weight of
which does not exceed 3 ¥ tons volume weight;

9. Exemption from travel tax by the Balik Scientist and immediate family members,

10. Exemption from the submission of Immigration clearance certificate and payment of
multiple entry fees;

11. Participation in Grants-in-Aid for research and development projects approved by the
Secretary of DOST;

12. Provision of funds for construction and set up of the laboratory to be used to come up
with an innovation; Provided, That the laboratory shall remain property of the
government after the expiration of the contract; and

13. Reasonable accident and medical insurance for the duration of the award as
determined by the DOST.

SEC 6. Administration. This program shall be administered by the DOST which shall issue the
implementing rules and regulations in consultation with appropriate agencies ninety (90) days
after the approval of this Act.

SEC 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The DOSY, in consultation with concerned
agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulation of this Act
within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC 8. Funding. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in
the annual budget of the DOST in accordance with the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC 9, Repealing Clause, All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, ordinances, rules and
regulation, and other issuances or part thereof which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly

SEC 10. Separability Clause. \f any provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or
invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take after fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in newspapers of general circulation

Approved,

Bama dh, jptarie™