SliVLN 1 LliN 111 CONCKHSS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PFIILIPPINES 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION
)
SENATE 
S B. No. 135G
g?ruatf
of !;ir 
ft
'17 
FEB 271 P6--40
RECl I’j . u i.
INTRODUCED BY SENA 1 OR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCI l O
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING 
THE 
BALIK 
SCIENTIST 
PROGRAM APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANA I ORY NO I E
Since time immemorial, Filipinos have Lieen internationally recognized 
for inventiveness and innovative achievements in sciences. Countless Filipino 
scientists have been acknowledged for their myriad contribution in fields such 
as agricultural, engineering, social sciences, medical sciences and others. It is 
sad to realize that Philippines can be considered as a rookery of undiscovered 
geniuses. For instance, Diosdado Banatao a Filipino-American and an alumni 
of Ateheo de Tuguegarao and Mapua Institute of Technology, is known to 
have developed the first single-chip graphical user interface accelerator for 
computer; Julian Ban/.on of Balanga, Bataan, is known to have studied 
methods of producing alternative fuels from coconut and sugarcanes and Fe 
del Mundo, a Filipino Pediatrician, known and credited for her studies that 
lieaded to tlie invention of incubator and jaundice relieving device.
Nevertheless, the proliferation of rookie Filipino scientists and 
teclinology experts who tend to pursue their field of expertise abroad is far
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reacliing and said to be due to the Government's non-recognition and lack of 
support, which results in leaving the country for abroad in trade of a much 
better living for their families and love ones. It is high time that the 
government resolves the indubitable drain brain issue of the country and 
hound Filipino geniuses for the nation's rebuilding and development.
This bill seeks to grant appealing incentives and benefits to Filipino 
scientists and technology experts abroad thereby encouraging them to serve 
and share their independent research or significant innovative achievement in 
basic and applied sciences of their field t)f expertise in the Philippines
The passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
■
JOSEPH VICrOR G. EJERCn O


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION
o(nrne(retnrn
V  r a 2 7 f P6 ^0
S.B. No
SEN A I E
135G
INTRODUCED BY SENA I OR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING 
THE 
BALIK 
SCIENTIST 
PROGRAM 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Bt’ it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress Assembled:
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2017"
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Balik Scientist Act of
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 return to 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 acctirdance 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- Objectives. This Act aims to strengthen the scientific 
and technological human resources of the academe, public iiistitutions and 
domestic corporations in order to prouK)te knowledge sharing and accelerate 
the flow of new technologies into the country.


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SEC 4. Definition of Bnlik Scientist. - A Balik Scientist is a science or 
technology expert or professional, as certified by the 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 his or her field of 
expertise for a Short Term Engagement with a duration of at least thirty (30) 
days per award to be served within one year from the date of the award or 
Long Term Engagement with a duration of at least 24-36 months subject to 
renewal to be determined by DOST and to be served within five (5) years 
from the date of the award.
SEC 5. 
Incentives. Incentives under the Balik Scientist Program shall 
include the following and such other privileges as may be provided in the 
implementing rules and regulations:
A. Short Perm Program:
1. One. (1) Free round-trip airfare originating from a foreign countiy to 
the Philippines;
2. Tax exempt daily allowance to be determined by the DOST;
3. Participation in Grants-in-Aid (GIA) re.search and development projects 
of the DOST subject to guidelines to be prov'ided 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; and
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.
7. Subject to the applicable provisions of Sec, 29, 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


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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.
B. 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 the profession, rank or position of the Balik Scientists 
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 one (1) unit second hand motor vehicle with gross 
vehicle weight (GVW) not exceeding 3000 kgs 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 (NDl) 
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 finalhj, 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 ;


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7. 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;
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8. 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 V2 tons volume 
weight;
9. Exemption from payment of travel tax of Balik 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 Balik 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 Balik 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 laboratoiy^ 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, 
Balik 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)


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of the Pliilippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended, after 
compliance with the requirements therefor. Said Balik 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.
16. Balik Scientists under the Short Term and the Long Term Awards shall 
be provided with reasonable accident and medical insurance for the 
duration of the award as determined by DOST.
SBC 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 DOST, 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. If any provision of tliis 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 Gazetter or in a neyv'spapers of general circulation.
Approved,