Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS,
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House BillNo.__ 4557

introduced by Representative Carlo pez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In a nutshell, the development plan adopted by the Philippine government envisions a
newly industrialized economy by the turn of the century. With this in mind, we must realize
however that economic growth and development in the country cannot be sustained if we do
not first improve the quality of life for every Filipino. It has been said that “To achieve growth
in the country at the expense of human development is to miss the poiat of economic
development. Our people continue to be our most productive and competitive resource. That
is why there is the plan to invest heavily in their training and welfare. We need improvement
ona larger scale. It can happen if every Filipino will feel strong — or be obsessed ~ about the
fact that we as a people have what it takes to be world-class in terms of resource, talent and

productivity. In other words, our economy will have to be globally competitive and our
workers and products up to global standards of excellence.”

Millions of Filipino working, studying and residing abroad have been exposed to
advance knowledge and high technology environment. Their potential and competence have
been accelerated and deepened by experienced and actual practice in counties where they
have access to more literature, equipment of higher technological specifications and more
rewarding opportunities for the recognition. These overseas compatriots, through their
exposure to foreign societies and modern technology represents an immense reservoir of new
technology, capital, expertise, experience and other resources which can be readily tapped for
national development purposes.

Aside from their innate talent and ability, overseas Filipino professionals know how to
take advantage of every single opportunity to harness their skills by acquiring more
knowledge and modern technology. More often than not, in vigorously setting higher goals
and standards for themselves, they have become more competitive in their respective fields of
endeavor and have been at par in excellence with other citizens of the world. With their
ability to render work with efficiency, loyalty and expertise, they have been recognized for
their potential and competence which earned them the established reputation of world
Filipinos.

88


‘The proposed bill aims to tap the expeuiise of these overseas Filipino p-ofessionals 10
help accelerate economic development of the country in order to meet the goals for the next
millennium, It provides for the methodologies by which these overseas Filipinos may
concretely assist in Philippine development processes, notably in the areas of transfer aud
exchange of technology. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that their burning desire to come
back to their land of birth is coupled with their ardent desire to contribute their share in the
development and progress of our country. Hence, by allowing them to practice in the
Philippines, we give them an opportunity to render service to their motherland where their
skills and expertise will be most needed and welcomed.

It is in the context of preparing the country to meet the new realities and ‘challenges of
the 21° century that due consideration and passage of this bill is earnestly urged

V.LOPEZ
istrict{ Manila

April 4, 2011


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House BiffNo.__ 455?

Introduced by Representative Carlo V. Lopez.

ANACT

PROVIDING FOR THE TRANSFER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND THE,
PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES BY OVERSEAS FILPINO
PROFESSIONALS

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

Section 1, Policy Declaration — Science and technology is essential in national
development and progress. In pursuance of this idea, the Government shall enlist the
participation of Filipino overseas, particularly high-level scientists and professionals in
various technical fields, and shall provide them proper incentives and programs so as to
secure their services in priority development areas of the public and private sectors, with the
view of promoting information exchange and contributing to the modemization and
industrialization of the country.

Section 2. Incentives — Given the significance of upgrading technologies and the
productivity of the people in pursuit of national economic development, the Government shall
develop and provide adequate incentives to Filipino expatriates whose expertise and training
can play a vital role in the industrialization efforts of the country.

Section 3. Implementation — The Department of Science and Technology and the
Department of Foreign Affairs shall develop and implement appropriate measures to ensure
attainment of this Act, to include the Balik Scientist Program under Executive Order No. 130,
as certified by the Department of Science and Technology.


Section 4. Practice of Overseas Professionals in the Phiiippines — The Professional
Regulation Commission may upon recommendation of the concerned Professional Regulatory
Board, authorize the registration without examination, and the issuance of a certificate of
registration and a professional license to any Filipino whether or not he/she lost his/her
citizenship when he/she was overseas, who has been in the practice of his profession in a
foreign country or state, subject the provisions of this Act.

Section 5. Qualification — For the registration without examination and the issuance of
a cettificate of registration and a professional license under this Act, the applicant shall
submit proofs that:

(a). He is a natural-born Filipino, as
shown _ by his birth certificate as a
Filipino or other documentation as
may be required, whether or not he
has his Philippine citizenship when
he went overseas;

(b). He is at least twenty (27) years of
age;

(c). He is registered and holder of a valid
certificate of registration and/or
valid professional license to practice
his professions issued by the
government body concerned in a
foreign country or state whose
requirements for registration or
licensing are substantially the same
as those required and contemplated
by the Philippines laws;


(@). He/She has been in the practice of

his/her professions in the country or
state mentioned in paragraph (¢) of
this Section for at least five (5) years
immediately preceding his/her
application; and

(c). He/She is a person of good moral
character, and he has not been
administratively/criminally
convicted by any government
instrumentality including the body
that regulates the practice of his
profession.

Section 6. Requirements ~ The applicant shall file an application under oath stating
his/her personal circumstances, his/her intention to practice in the Philippines and the Office
address that he/she will be using, and his/her undertaking to abide by all regulations
pertaining to the practice of the profession in the Philippines.

Section 7. Implementing Guidelines — All concerned Departments and agencies,
particularly the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Foreign Affairs,
Professional Regulation Commission, shall within ninety (90) days upon this Act’s approval,
promulgate the necessary guidelines to put into effect purposes and provisions of this Act.

Section 8. Repealing Clause ~ All laws are inconsistent and contrary to the provisions
of this Act are hereby repealed.

‘ion 9. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulations,
whichever comes earlier.

Approved.