SE\ tM  EENl H C ONGKLSS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OI THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
^ c iin tr 
■|7 fEB 13 P3:40
S E N A T E  
RtaiVLOB-/;
s.B. no. 1 3 2 4
Introduced bv Senator Poe
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE BALIK SCIENTIST PROGRAM, APPROPRIAHN(;
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
ILxplanatory Note
Several provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution (“Constitution”) recognize the 
primary role of science and technology in promoting national development. For instance. 
Section 17, Article 2 of the Constitution includes science and technology as a priority area in 
order to foster “patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total 
human liberation and development.” Furthermore, Section 10, Article 14 states that “science 
and technology are essential for national development and progress. The State shall give 
priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and their utilization; and to 
science and technology education, training, and services.”
Unfortunately, the reality is far from the ideals espoused in the Constitution. One 
major concern is the continuing and overwhelming outflow of Filipino scientists to other 
countries. According to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), outbound 
Science and Technology (“S&T”) workers in the Philippines have increased 148 percent from 
9,877 in 1998 to 24,502 in 2009.1 As a result, the presence of Research and Development 
(“R&D”) personnel in the Philippines stands at 165 per a million Filipinos - way below the 
United 
Nations 
Educational, 
Scientific 
and 
Cultural 
Organization 
(UNESCO) 
recommendation of 380 per million persons.2
bttpj//www. dost.Kov.pli/knowlcdKe-rcsources/news/36-201 l-ne\vs/295-ph-s-t-ofw-biain-clrain-rises-lo-14R
ilJ


Fortunately, the framers of the Constitution were prudent enough to include a 
solution. Section 11, Article 14 states that “the Congress may provide for incentives, 
including tax deductions, to encourage private participation in programs of basic and applied 
scientific research. Scholarships, grants-in-aid, or other forms of incentives shall be provided 
to deserving science students, researchers, scientists, inventors, technologists, and specially 
gifted citizens.”
The DOST itself leads in this area as it implements the "Bahk Scientist Program" 
(the “Program”). Established in 1975, the Program is a “brain gain” tool for the strengthening 
of the country's scientific and technological human resources.1
This bill seeks to institutionalize the above-mentioned Program. This bill also seeks to 
provide benefits, incentives, and programs in order to entice Filipino Scientists to share their 
expertise with the country on a short, medium and/or long-term basis. In doing so, this bill 
envisions a future in which Filipino scientists contribute to nation building and inclusive 
growth through the acceleration of research and development in the country.
In view of the foregoing, speedy approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
^GUACE POE
3http://bsp dosl uov.pli/


SEVLM LLM II ( ONCKKSS OF THE REFl BLIC 
OF THE I’llILIITlNES
First Regular Session
S E N A r E
s.B. no. 1 3 2 4
0 ! ^  
^ c m t t
of llir
•17 
FEB 13 
P 3 '-40
RECEIVtDBY'.
Introduced bv Senator Foe
AN AC I
INSTITU FIOiNAUZING THE BALlk SCIENTIST FROCiRAIM, AFFROFRIA I INC; 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress Assembled:
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ARTIC LE I
GENERAL PROV ISIONS
Section I. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Balik Scientist Act of 2017'.
Section 2. Declaration of Policy/. - The State recognizes the utilization of the 
expertise of expatriate Filipino scientists and technologists as a vital component of the 
nation's political, economic, and social development elTorts. 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, the "Balik Scientist" program is hereby institutionalized, in which 
the State shall provide incentives for foreign-based Filipino scientists, professionals, 
technicians, or Filipinos with special skills or expertise to share their professional 
experiences, know-how or expertise in the Philippines in accordance with the implementing 
rules and regulations which shall be promulgated by the Department of Science and


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Technology (DOST) in consultation with relevant agencies of the government and non­
government organizations.
Section 3. Definiliun oj Terms. - For the purpose of this Act:
a) "Bahk Scientist"- refers to a science or technology expert or professional, as 
certified by the DOST, who is currently or who was formerly a Filipino citizen, 
and is residing abroad;
b) "Bahk Scientist Program ” - refers to the program institutionalized under this Act;
c) “DOST"- refers to the Department of Science and Technology;
d) “Long-Term Engagement"- refers to a term of engagement under the Program 
with duration of at least twenty four (24) to thirty (36) months subject to renewal 
to be determined by DOST and to be served within five (5) years from the date of 
the award;
e) 
“Medium-Term Engagement"- refers to a term of engagement under the Program 
with a duration of six (6) to twelve (12) months per award to be served within two 
(2) to three (3) years from the date of the award;
f) “Short-Term Engagement" - refers to a term of engagement under the Program 
with a duration of at least thirty (30) days per award to be served within one (1) 
year from the date of the award;
g) “Terms of Ihigagement"- refers to the duration under which a Bahk Scienti.st shall 
be engaged in the Program. The terms of engagement may be short-term, medium- 
term or long-term.
ARTIC Li: II
THE BALIK SCIENTIST PROGRAM


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Section 4. Inslitutionalizalion of the Balik Scientist Program. - There is hereby 
established and institutionalized the Balik Scientist program, hereafter referred to as the 
“Program”. Under the Program, a "Balik Scientist ” is contracted by the government to return 
and serve in the Philippines in his or her field of expertise based on a short-, medium-, or 
long-term engagement.
Section 5. Program Objectives. - The Program shall aim to entice foreign-based 
scientists, professionals, technicians, or any person with special skills or expertise who are of 
Filipino descent to share their professional experiences, know-how or expertise in the 
Philippines to strengthen the scientific and technological human resources and knowledge 
base of the academe, public institutions, and domestic corporations, in order to promote 
knowledge-sharing and accelerate the flow of new technologies into the country.
Section 6. General Benefits, Incentives, ami Privileges. - All Balik Scientists, as 
certified by the DOST, shall be eligible for the following general benefits, incentives, and 
privileges, including such others which may be provided through additional rules and 
regulations pursuant to the declared national policy of this Act;
a) Registration as a professional and issuance of a certificate of registration and 
license by the PRC, subject to the conditions of Republic Act No. 8981, otherwise 
known as the "PRC MoJernizutmn Act of 2000"-, Provided, that the DOST shall 
submit to the PRC the list of all accredited or vetted Balik Scientists, as well as 
those who shall serve under the Program, at the end of each award or Project;
b) Reasonable accident and medical insurance for the duration of the award as 
determined by the DOST;
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c) Subject to applicable provisions of Section 29 of Commonwealth Act No. 613, 
otherwise known as 
"The Philippine Immigration Act of 1940", as amended. 
Balik Scientists who have acquired 
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 
same law.


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Section 7. Term-Specific Benefits, Incentives, and Privileges. - Balik Scientists shall 
be eligible for the following benefits, incentives, and privileges, including such others which 
may be provided through additional rules and regulations pursuant to the declared national 
policy of this Act, depending on their tenns of engagement:
a) Short-Term Program - Buhk Scientists who are contracted on a short-tenn 
engagement basis shall be eligible for the following benefits, incentives and 
privileges:
1. One (1) fully subsidized round-trip airfare originating from a foreign 
country to the Philippines;
2. Reimbursement of expenses for excess baggage allowance related to 
scientific project or activities;
3. Relocation allowance to be determined by DOST;
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4. A tax-exempt daily allowance to be determined by the DOST;
5. 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;
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
b) Medium-Term Program - Balik Scientists who are contracted on a medium-term 
engagement basis shall be eligible for the following benefits, incentives and 
privileges:
1. One (1) fully-subsidized round-trip airfare originating from a foreign 
country to the Philippines;


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2. Reimbursement of expenses for excess baggage allowance related to 
scientific project or activities;
3. A tax exempt daily allowance to be detemiined by the DOST;
4. Relocation allowance to be detennined by DOST;
5. 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; 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. Exemption from payment of travel tax of Balik Scientist including his or 
her immediate family members as certified by the DOST;
8. Exemption from submission of Immigration clearance certificate and 
payment of multiple entry fees;
c) Long-Temi Program - Balik Scientists who are contracted on a long-term 
engagement basis shall be eligible for the following benefits, incentives and 
privileges:
1. One (1) fully-subsidized 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 projects or activities;
3. A tax exempt monthly allowance to be given by the DOST;


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4. Relocation allowance to be determined by DOST;
5. Housing may be arranged by pre-determincd host institutions;
6. Participation in Grants-in-Aid for research and development projects 
approved by the Secretary of DOST;
7. 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 Bahk 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 3,000 kilograms, subject to the classification standard of motor 
vehicles transported set forth by the Bureau of Customs; Provided, that the 
grantee under the short-tenn program shall likewise be entitled to this 
benefit, if he or she 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 DTl-Bureau of Import 
Service. A ccrtillcatc of endorsement from the DOST shall be submitted in 
lieu of the required personal appearance: Provided finally, 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;
8. 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;
9. Reimbursement of expenses for the surface shipment of personal 
household effects and professional instruments, including one (1) motor 
vehicle the total weight of which docs not exceed 3 Vi tons volume weight;


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10. Exemption from payment of travel tax of Buhk Scientist including his or 
her immediate family members as certified by the DOST;
11. Exemption from submission of Immigration clearance certificate and 
payment of multiple entry fees;
12. 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; and
13. Availability of the infrastructure budget for the laboratory to come up with 
an innovation; BruviUeii, That the laboratory shall remain as property of 
the government after the expiration of the term.
ARTICLE III
f 
PROC.RAM ADMINISTRATION
Section 8. Role of the DOST. - The Program shall be administered by the DOST. 
Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOST shall convene an uJ hoc 
committee which shall, in coordination with concerned government agencies:
a) Determine 
the 
host 
institutions, 
application 
process 
and documentary 
requirements for an individual to be certified as a Halik Scientist'. FroviJeJ, that 
the call for application, review of documents and awarding of the status as Buhk 
Scientists shall be done at least once per year: Brovidedfurther, that applications 
shall be processed within sixty (60) calendar days from receipt;
b) Determine, 
in 
coordination 
with 
relevant 
government 
agencies, 
the
communications strategy to reach out to prospective Buhk Scientists', and
c) Determine the parameters, amounts, and funding requirements of the benefits, 
incentives, and privileges under Sections 7 and 8 of this Act, which shall include:


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1. The amounts insurable and procedures for availing of “reasonable accident 
and medical allowance” provided for all Balik ScienfiMs, in coordination 
with relevant stakeholders;
2. The amount of the daily, monthly, and relocation allowances and its 
manner of disbursement;
3. The guidelines for participation in Grants-in-Aid (GIA) research and 
development projects;
4. The guidelines in detennining housing for Balik Scienfi.sis under the Long- 
Term Program;
5. The guidelines for the utilization of the infrastructure budget for Balik 
Scicniisfs under the Long-Term Program; ami
6. The guidelines for such other benefits, incentives and privileges as may be 
provided under the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.
ARnC LE IV 
FINAL PROV ISIONS
Section 9. 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.
Section 10. Appropriations. - The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act 
shall be included in the annual appropriations of the DOST under the General Appropriations 
Act.


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Section 11. 
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 moditled accordingly.
Section 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be held 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise aflected shall remain in full 
force and effect.
Section 13. Effeclivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,