enair
<§f(ire of tlje(^ i ’nn'fary
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF TH E REPUBLIC 
)
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 
1 1 8 3
•16 
OCT-4  
P3 :24
R ’-
Introduced by: Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE BALIK SCIENTIST PROGRAM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Filipino scientists have been contributing to groundbreaking advancement in 
scientific research all over the world with their talent, intelligence, and creativity. Yet as a 
country, we are lagging behind our neighbors in scientific output.
As a nation, we produce fewer research papers and file far fewer patents, with 1.8 
per million population in 2010, while Thailand had 17.6, Malaysia 43.4, and Vietnam 3.5, 
owing to the underdeveloped state of research and development in the country.
Although numerous Filipino scientists would like to serve their country and contribute to 
our technological, social, and economic advancement, many opt to move overseas where 
their work is highly valued, and where there are more opportunities to conduct meaningful 
research.
The Balik Scientist Program which was reinstated in 1993, is currently based upon an 
Executive Order No. 130 and has successfully encouraged some of our scientists to return 
and contribute to research that will address development gaps in the Philippines.
The Balik Scientist Program provides financial incentives for overseas Filipino 
scientists and facilitates their return to work on either a short-term or long-term basis. The 
program subsidizes the cost of returning to the Philippines to impart their technical 
expertise to the nation, while conducting research to address our country's needs.
Institutionalizing this will provide financial benefits to returning overseas scientists, 
but more importantly. It will signify our government's commitment to, and recognition of 
science, research and development.
Once passed into law, Filipino scientists can be assured that their work is valued and 
that the government is their partner in promoting, and protecting research and 
development.


It is not just Filipino scientists that stand to gain from this program, but the Filipino 
people, as the brightest minds pour their brain power to solving longstanding problems like 
poverty through science and technology.
In view of the foregoing, the passing of this bill is earnestly sought.
Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV
OVY-


•/
( J f i t f i  of 
n u n t y
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
)
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATh f t * ^
i.B. No. 
I I O
O
*16 
OCT-4  
P3 2 4
Ki
Introduced by: Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE BALIK SCIENTIST PROGRAM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in Congress 
assembied:
SECTION 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Balik Scientist Act."
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SECTION 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  The State recognizes that the utilization of the
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expertise of expatriate Filipino scientists and technologists is a vital component of the
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nation's political, economic and social development efforts, hence, it is hereby declared the
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policy of the State to encourage Filipino scientists and technology experts from abroad to
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return to the Philippines and share their expertise to accelerate the development of the
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country.
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Towards this end, any foreign-based scientist, professional, technician, or any person
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with special skills or expertise who is of Filipino descent shall be allowed to share his or her
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profession or expertise in the Philippines in accordance with the implementing rules and
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regulations which shall be promulgated by the Department of Science and Technology
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(DOST) in consultation with relevant agencies of the government and non-government
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organizations.
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SECTION 3. General Objectives. -  This Act aims to strengthen the scientific and
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technological human resources of the academe, public institutions and domestic
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corporations in order to promote knowledge sharing and accelerate the flow of new
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technologies into the country.
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SECTION 4. Definition o f Balik Scientist. -  A Balik Scientist is a science technology
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expert or professional, as certified by the DOST, who is a Filipino citizen or a foreigner of
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Filipino descent, residing abroad, and contracted by the government to return and serve in
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the Philippines along his or her field of expertise for a Short Term Engagement with a
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duration of at least thirty (30) days per award to be served within one (1) year from the date
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of the award or Long Term Engagement with a duration of at least twenty-four to thirty-six


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(24-36) months subject to renewal to be determined by DOST and to be served within five
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(5) years from the date of the award.
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SECTION 5. Incentives. -  Incentives under the Balik Scientist Program shall include
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the following and such other privileges as may be provided in the implementing rules and
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regulations:
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A. Short Term Program:
1. One (1) free round-trip airfare originating from a foreign country to the 
Philippines;
2. Tax exempt daily allowance to be determined by the DOST;
3. Participation in Grants-in-Aid (GIA) research and development projects of the 
DOST subject to guidelines to be provided in the implementing rules and 
regulations;
4. All Balik Scientists, as certified by the DOST, shall be exempt from the 
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 the Balik Scientists shall likewise be furnished by 
the DOST to the PRC at the end of each award;
5. Reimbursement of expenses for excess baggage allowance related to 
scientific project or activities;
6. Donation of instruments and materials related to the scientific program or 
activities shall be exempted from taxes and duties. Freight and storage 
expenses shall be borne by the host institution; and
7. Subject to the applicable provisions of Section 29 of Commonwealth Act No. 
613, the Balik Scientist of foreign citizenship, as certified by the DOST, shall 
be granted by the Secretary of Justice special non-immigrant visas under 
Section 47 (a) (2) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended, 
after compliance with the requirements therefor. Said Balik Scientist shall be 
exempted from the payment of visa, immigration and registration fees in 
accordance with Section 251 of the Philippine Foreign Service Code of 1983, 
as amended by Section 831 of Department Order No. 19a-95, series of 1995, 
otherwise known as the Regulations of the Department of Foreign Affairs, if 
applicable.
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Long Term Program:
1. One (1) free one-way 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;
2. Reimbursement of expenses for excess baggage allowance related to 
scientific project or activities;
3. Relocation allowance to be determined by DOST;
4. Tax exempt monthly allowance to be given by the DOST;
5. Housing may be arranged by pre-determined host institutions;
6. As determined by DOST, duty and tax-free importation of personal effect and 
professional instruments and material in quantities and of class suitable to


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the profession, rank or position of the Baiik Scientists importing them for 
their own use and not for barter or saie in accordance with Section 105 of the 
Tariff Code. Duty and tax free importation of one (1) unit second hand motor 
vehicle with gross vehicle weight (GVW) not exceeding 3000 kilograms 
subject to the 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, further. That the grantee shall abide by the 
rules and regulations under the no-dollar import (NDI) program of the DTI- 
Bureau of Import Service. A certificate of endorsement from the DOST shall 
be submitted in lieu of the required personal appearance: Provided, fir^ally. 
That the grantee shall be exempted from posting bond and exportation of the 
motor vehicle to the country of origin upon expiration of the award;
Donations of equipment, instruments and materials related to the scientific 
program or activities shall be exempted from the taxes and duties: Provided, 
That the donation shall be on the account of DOST. Likewise, freight and 
storage expenses shall be borne by the host institution;
Reimbursement of expenses for the surface shipment of personal household 
effects and professional instruments, including one (1) motor vehicle the 
total weight of which does not exceed 3 Yi tons volume weight;
Exemption from payment of travel tax of Baiik Scientist including his or her 
immediate family members as certified by the DOST;
10. Exemption from submission of Immigration clearance certificate and 
payment of multiple entry fees;
11. Exemption from securing alien employment permit within the duration of 
their contract pursuant to Section 2 of Department Order No. 97-09, Series of 
2009, as amended by Department Order No. 120-12, Series of 2012, of the 
Department of Labor and Employment;
12. All Baiik Scientists, as certified by the DOST, shall be exempt from the 
licensing or permit requirement of the PRC: Provided, That the DOST shall 
submit to the PRC the list of Baiik Scientists shall likewise be furnished by the 
DOST to the PRC at the end of each award or Project;
13. Participation in Grants-in Aid for research and development projects 
approved by the Secretary of DOST;
14. Availability of the infrastructure budget for the laboratory to come up with an 
innovation: Provided, That the laboratory shall remain as property of the 
government after the expiration of the term; and
15. Subject to applicable provisions of Section 29 Commonwealth Act 613, Baiik 
Scientists of foreign citizenship, including his/her immediate family members, 
as certified by the DOST, shall be granted by the Secretary of Justice special 
non-immigrant visas under Section 47 (a) (2) of the Philippine Immigration 
Act of 1940, as amended, after compliance with the requirements therefor. 
Said Baiik Scientist and immediate family members and registration fees in 
accordance with Section 251 of the Philippine Foreign Service Code of 1983, 
as amended by Section 831 of Department Order No. 19A-95, Series of 1995, 
otherwise known as the Regulations of the Department of Foreign Affairs.


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Balik Scientists under the Short Term and the Long Term Awards shall be provided
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with reasonable accident and medical insurance for the duration of the award as
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determined by DOST.
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SECTION 6. Administration. -  This program shall be administered by the DOST which
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shall issue the implementing rules and regulations in consultation with appropriate agencies
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ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act.
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SECTION 7. Funding. -  The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
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shall be included in the annual budget of the DOST in accordance with the Annual General
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Appropriations Act.
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SECTION 8. impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. -  Within ninety (90) days from the
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effectivity of this Act, DOST, in consultation with concerned agencies and other relevant
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stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
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implementation of this Act.
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SECTION 9. Separabiiity Ciause. -  Should any provision herein be declared
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unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act.
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SECTION 10. Repeaiing Ciause. -  All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or
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other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
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modified accordingly.
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SECTION 11. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication
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in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of generai circulation in the Philippines.
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Approved,