FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF TBE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In a report by the United Nations Development Program’s Human Development Index, 
Philippines is among developing countries that are “dynamic adopters” in terms of technological 
achievements and capacities. Philippines has been one of the few countries losing its technically 
trained people to the United States. Between 1994 and 1995, some 57,000 Filipinos who hold 
higher education degrees were “imported” by the United States of America, averaging nearly a 
thousand highly skilled individuals per year. 
Every year, more than 800,000 Filipinos leave for jobs abroad and the share of persons with 
higher education or with sophisticated technical skills have been growing in the recent years. The 
Philippine economy benefits substantially from these through dollar remittances of Filipinos 
employed abroad. However, although remittances are significant source of foreign exchange, the 
money is typically spent on consumer goods and adds little to the economy’s productive 
capacity. 
The proposed bill aims to tap the expertise of the overseas Filipino professionals to help 
accelerate economic development of the country in order to meet the goals towards the next 
millennium. It provides for the methodologies by which overseas Filipinos may effectively assist 
the development of the country’s economy, particularly in the areas of transfer and exchange of 
technology. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that their desire to come back to their land of birth 
is coupled with a desire to contribute skills for the development and progress of the country. 
Hence, by allowing them to practice in the Philippines, we give them an opportunity to render 
service to the country where their skills and expertise will be most needed and welcomed. 
Early cognizance of this bill is earnestly sought. 
.-ct 
AN 
IV 
Senator 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
. /  
Introduced bv Senator Antonio “Sonnv” F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE TRANSFER IN THE PHILIPPINES OF SCIENCE AND 
TECHNOLGY 
RELATED 
PROFESSIONS 
BY 
OVERSEAS 
FILIPWO 
PROFESSIONALS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and 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 objective, the government shall enlist the 
participation of Filipinos overseas, particularly high- level scientists, engineers, information and 
communications technology experts, and other professionals in various technical fields, and shall 
provide 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 modernization and industrialization of the country. 
SEC. 2. Incentives. - Given the significance of upgrading technologies and 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. Among the incentives to be provided shall be, 
but not limited to, the following: 
a. Exemption from payment of the travel tax for grantee; 


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b. Availment of the privilege granted under Section 105(g) of the Tariff and Customs 
Code of the Philippines (TCCP) which provides for the conditionally-free importation 
of wearing apparel, articles of personal adornment, toilet articles, portable tools and 
instruments, theatrical costumes and similar effects which are necessary and 
appropriate for the wear and use of such persons but not for barter, sale or hire; and 
c. Financial support for research and development projects approved by the Secretary of 
the Department of Science and Technology. 
SEC. 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. 
SEC. 4. Practice of Overseas Professionals in the Philippines. - 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 has lost his citizenship 
when he was overseas, who has been in the practice of his profession in a foreign country or 
state, subject to the provisions of this Act. 
The application for registration without examination and the issuance of a certificate of 
registration and a professional license may also be granted to any Filipino who, prior to his 
departure abroad, has already been granted certificate of registration and a professional license, 
by appropriate Philippine professional regulatory board to practice his profession, but said 
registration or license has expired while he was overseas. 
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SEC. 5. Qualzpcations. - For the registration without examination and the issuance of a 
certificate of registration and a professional license under the Act, the applicant must submit 
proof that: 
a. He is a present or former Filipino citizen, as shown by his birth Certificate or other 
documentation as may be required; 
b. He is at least twenty seven (27) years of age; 
c. He is registered and holder of a valid certificate of registration andor valid 
professional license to practice his profession issued by the appropriate Philippine 
regulatory commission prior to his departure abroad, or by a 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 Philippine laws; 
d. He is a person of good moral character, he has not been convicted of any crime 
involving moral turpitude nor sanctioned administratively by any government 
instrumentality including the body that regulates the practice of his profession. 
SEC. 6. Requirements. - The applicant shall file an application under oath stating his 
personal circumstances, his intention to practice in the Philippines and the office address that he 
will be using, and his undertaking to abide by all regulations pertaining to the practice of the 
profession in the Philippines. 
SEC. 7. Implementing Guidelines. - The Department of Science and Technology, 
Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Professional Regulation Commission, in coordination 
with other concerned government agencies, shall within ninety (90) days upon the approval of 
this Act, promulgate the necessary guidelines to put into effect the purposes and provisions of 
this Act. 
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SEC. 8. Appropriations. - the amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall 
be sourced from the General Appropriation of Department of Science and Technology. 
SEC. 9. Repealing CZause. - All laws which are inconsistent and contrary to the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended. 
SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation, whichever 
comes first. 
Approved, 
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