Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __ 538 8

Introduced by Representatives Victor J. Yu, Mariano Michael M. Velarde, Jr. Je:
A. Manalo, Mariano U, Piamonte, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOT

Section 2, Chapter 1, Title XVIII, Book IV of the Administrative Code of 1987
mandates the Department of Science and Technology to "formulate and implement policies,
plans, programs, and projects for the development of science and technology and for the
promotion of scientific and technological activities for both the public and private sectors and
ensure that the results of scientific and technological activities are properly applied and
utilized to accelerate economic and social development".

In line with this constitutional mandate, the Balik Scientist Program (BSP) was
established pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 819 dated 24 October 1975 for a period of
five (5) years and was extended up to October 1986 by Letter of Instruction No. 1044 dated
18 July 1980. The program has been dormant for almost a decade after the expiration of the
period of extension, However, 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
(DOST) through Executive Order No, 130 dated October 25, 1993.

Notwithstanding the success of the program, there are still a lot of Filipino scientists,
technology experts and researchers outside the country that has not been tapped due to
circumstances that cannot be addressed by the existing BSP. It is for this reason that the
existing BSP needs to be institutionalized and strengthened through a legislative fiat and
including therein better incentives and benefits that would draw these Filipino experts to
return back to their beloved country 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.

Itis for these reasons that we seek immediate approval of this Bill.

LARDE

(ecaer Ge [Lownls
JESU! “Az MANALO MARIANO U, PIAMONTI
PL- ANGKLA PL- A- TEACHER


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

5388

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representatives Victor J. Yu, Mariano Michael M. Velarde, Jr. Jesulito
A. Manalo, Mariano U. Piamonte, Jr.

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING 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 1, Title. This Act shall be known as the “Balik Scientist Act of 2015”

SEC 2. Declaration of 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
retum to the Philippines and s 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 practice 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
(DOSTT) in coordination with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and other
relevant agencies of the government.

SEC 3. General- Objectives. This Act aims to strengthen the scientific and
technological manpower of the academe and public and private institutions 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 or technology
expert or professional, as may be defined by the Department of Science and Technology, who
ino citizen or a foreigner of Filipino descent, residing abroad, and contracted by the
‘government to return and work in the Philippines along his or her field of expertise for a
short-term with a duration of at least thirty (30) days (Short Term Program) or long term with
a duration of at least two (2) years (Long Term Program).

SEC 5, Incentives. Incentives under the Balik Scientist Program shall include the
following and such other privileges as may be determined by the implementing rules and
regulations:



A. Short Term Program:

1, Free round-trip economy airfare originating from a foreign country to the Philippines
by direct route;

2. Daily subsistence allowance to be determined by the DOST; and

3. Grants-in-aid (GIA) for research and development projects approved by the Secretary
of DOST.

4. Exemption from any civil service examination or licensing requirement for
professional regulatory boards within the duration of their contract.

B. Long Term Program:

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

2. Reimbursement of expenses for excess baggage allowance.

3. Relocation allowance to be determined by DOST;

4. Monthly subsistence allowance to be determined by the DOST;

5. Housing may be arranged by pre-determined host institutions;

6. Duty and tax-free importation of personal effects and professional instruments and
implements in quantities and of the class suitable to the profession, rank or position of

the persons importing them for their own use and not for barter or sale.

Donations of equipment and instruments from overseas shall likewise be exempted
from and taxes and duties. Freight expenses shall be borne by the receiving
institution;

7. No-dollar importation of motor vehicles, provided that the importer complies with and
is qualified in accordance with Executive Order No. 156, Series of 2002;

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

9. Exemption from payment of travel tax including those for the spouse and dependents
as certified by the DOST

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


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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. Exemption from any civil service examination or licensing requirement for
professional regulatory boards within the duration of their contract.

13, 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
novation, Provided, That the laboratory shall remain as property of the government
after the expiration of the term;

15. The participants under this Program including their dependents, as certified by the
Department of Science and Technology, shall be granted 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 participants including their
dependents 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.

Both the short-term and the long-term program awardees shall be provided with
reasonable accident and medical insurance for the duration of the award as determined
by 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. 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 8. Separability Clause. If 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 9, Effectivity. This Act shall take after fifteen (15) days following the date of its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation whichever
comes earlier.

Approved,