EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. B. No. 2354
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
TO STRENGTHEN THE PHILIPPINE CREATVE INDUSTRY THROUGH 
EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE BALIK SCIENTIST ACT, AMENDING 
FOR THE PURPOSE, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11035, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
We, Rlipinos are recognized globally, not just for our warmth and hospitality, 
but also for our creativity, ingenuity, and artistry. Indeed, many individuals of 
Filipino descent—whether bom in the Philippines or elsewhere—have achieved 
world-renowned success for their work in the creative arts.
For instance, there are comicbook artists like Leinil Francis Yu, Carlo 
Pagulayan, Gerry Alangullan and Whilce Portacio who have served as pencillers and 
inkers in some of the main storylines of Marvel and DC Comics and have also 
published original work.
There are also animators, concept and storyboard artists like Ronnie Del 
Carmen, who co-directed the Disney/PIxar movie Inside Out (2015); Anthony 
Francisco, who was the main designer of Marvel Studios characters Baby Groot 
(Guardians of the Galaxy), Loki (Thor), and the Dora Milaje of Wakanda (Black 
Panther); and. Jay Oliva, who rose through the ranks of animation studios in the 
United States before being tapped by Netflix to serve as executive producer for the 
animated series Trese, the first Rlipino-themed anime to be streamed globally.
In the F>erforming arts, there are the likes of Rachelle Ann Go, Jon Jon 
Briones, and of course Lea Salonga, among countless others who have all made 
their mark in the international scene for musical theater. There is also the American


with Rlipino descent composer and songwriter Robert Lopez, who penned such 
musicals as Avenue Q and the Book of Mormon and songs "Let it Go" (from the 
movie Frozen) and "Remember Me" (from the film Coco, which ultimately earned 
him an Academy Award for Best Original Song).
And then in the world of photography, there are individuals like National 
Geographic photojoumaiist Hannah Reyes Morales and award-winning street 
photographer Xyza Cruz Bacani.
Truly, Rlipinos and individuals of Rlipino descent are earning recognition for 
their achievements in the fields mentioned above as well as in other creative 
pursuits. These people hold immense talent and know-how, which could be tapped 
by Filipinos back home as a resource for knowledge-sharing and technology 
transfer.
Their expertise could also be leveraged by ongoing efforts to jumpstart the 
development of our the country's so-called creative economy, which according to 
the 2018 Creative Economy Outlook and Country Profile of the United Nations 
Conference on Trade and Development exported an estimated US$915 million 
worth of "aeative goods" in 2014.
It is with this in mind that we are proposing this measure, which seeks to 
expand the coverage of the existing Balik Scientist Program, institutionalized under 
Republic Act No. 11035, to include individuals who are engaged in "creative arts 
and technology" This largely means that individuals of Rlipino descent with 
demonstrated expertise In the creative arts may be tapped and thereby incentivized 
by the government to conduct activities that advance their respective fields here in 
the Philippines.
The measure likewise proposes that while the program shall remain largely 
under the ambit of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), close 
coordination will be required with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the 
National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA), and other relevant government 
agencies when it comes to any future engagement with the so-called homecoming 
creatives.
The creative sector in the Philippines were among the hardest-hit amid the 
pandemic, and therefore should be included in any efforts to jumpstart the


country's economic recovery. We believe this measure Is one way of accomplishing 
this. Hence, the swift passage of this measure is earnestly sought
SONNY ANGARA


/ojo^ l"t s%<\
ui riA Tgr Aug 23 2021fn
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
8:58 a.m.
SENATE
S. B. No. 2354
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
TO STRENGTHEN THE PHILIPPINE CREATVE INDUSTRY THROUGH 
EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE BALIK SCIENTIST ACT, AMENDING 
FOR THE PURPOSE, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11035, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Section 2 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11035 or the Balik Scientist
2 
Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
3 
"Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes that the
4 
utilization of the expertise of science, technology or Innovation experts
5 
of Rlipino descent Is a vital component of the national political,
6 
economic, and social development efforts. Hence, It is hereby declared
7 
the policy of the State to support the participation of science,
8 
technology or innovation experts of Filipino descent in research and
9 
development initiatives for our country. Towards this end, science,
10 
technology or innovation experts, such as scientists, professionals,
11 
educators, technicians, researchers, engineers, innovators,
12 
technologists, technology entrepreneurs, THOSE ENGAGED IN
13 
CREATIVE ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY, or any person with special
14 
skills or expertise, who is of Rlipino descent, shall be accorded with
15 
benefits, incentives and privileges under this Act to encourage and
16 
support their participation in strengthening the scientific and
17 
technological human resources of public or private Institutions and


1 
industry in our country to accelerate the development of new or
2 
strategically important technologies that that are vital to our national
3 
development progress."
4 
SEC. 2. Section 3 of R.A. No. 11035 or the Balik Scientist Act is hereby
5 
amended to read as follows:
6 
"Section 3. Balik Scientist Program. - There is hereby created a Balik
7 
Scientist Program, hereinafter referred to as the "Program", to be
8 
administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
9 
IN CASE OF BALIK SCIENTISTS ENGAGED FOR THEIR
10 
EXPERTISE IN THE CREATIVE ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY, THE
11 
DOST SHALL COORDINATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF
12 
TRADE AND INDUSTRY (DTI), DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND
13 
EMPLOYMENT (DOLE), THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR
14 
CULTURE AND THE ARTS (NCCA), AND OTHER RELEVANT
15 
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE
16 
PROGRAM.
17 
Under the Program, the DOST shall:
18 
(a) Survey and identify scientific, [and] technological AND
19 
CREATIVE ARTS expertise absent or limited locally which
20 
may be addressed by a Balik Scientist in coordination with
21 
the host institution(s);
22 
(b) X X x;
23 
(c) Provide and facilitate the release of the appropriate benefits
24 
and incentives provided under this Act to Balik Scientist who
25 
have passed the application process of the DOST in
26 
coordination with the respective host institution(s).
27 
”IN CASE OF THE BALIK SCIENTIST ENGAGED FOR
28 
THEIR EXPERTISE IN THE CREATIVE ARTS AND
29 
TECHNOLOGY, THE APPLICATION FOR BENEFITS
30 
AND INCENTIVES SHALL BE PROCESSED IN
31 
ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES AND REGULATIONS
32 
ADOPTED BY DOST, DTI, DOLE, NCCA AND OTHER
■ 2


1 
RELEVANT GOVERNMENT AGENCY IN
2 
COORDINATION WITH THE RESPECTIVE HOST
3 
INSTTrunON;"
4 
SEC. 3. The first paragraph of Section 4 of R.A. No. 11035 or the Balik
5 
Scientist Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
6 
"Section 4. General Program Objectives. - The Program shall aim to
7 
strengthen the scientific, [and] technological, INNOVATIVE AND
8 
CREATIVE human resources of the academe, public and private
9 
institutions, including locally registered enterprises in order to promote
10 
knowledge sharing and accelerate the flow of new technologies into
11 
the country."
12 
SEC. 4. Section 5 (a) of R.A. No. 11035 or the Balik Scientist Act is hereby
13 
amended to read as follows:
14 
"Section 5. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act:
15 
(a) Balik Scientist. - a science, technology or innovation expert or
16 
professional, as certified by the DOST, who is a Rllpino citizen or a
17 
foreigner of Filipino descent, accorded with benefits and incentives
18 
under this Act to undertake ACnvmES IN science, [and]
19 
technology, INNOVATION, AND CREATIVE ARTS THAT ARE
20 
[activities] along his or her field of expertise with a host institution
21 
under short-term, medium-term, or long-term engagement, who is
22 
either:
23 
(1) A resident of another country at the time of application; or
24 
(2) A Philippine-resident for not more than three (3) years at the time
25 
of application, beginning from the most recent date of arrival from
26 
overseas education or employment along his or her field of expertise:
27 
Provided, That those without graduate degrees equipped with
28 
exceptional expertise can be qualified under this program"
29 
SEC. 5. A new subsection g Is inserted in Section 5, to read as follows:
30 
"Section 5. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act:
31 
"(G) CREATIVE ARTS - INCLUDE CYCLES OF CREATION,
32 
PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS AND SERVICES


1 
THAT USE CREATIVITY AND INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL AS
2 
PRIMARY INPUTS. IT INCLUDES A WIDE ARRAY OF
3 
SUBSECTORS RELATED TO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,
4 
INNOVATIONS AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGY BUT NOT
5 
LIMITED TO TRADITIONAL AND CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS,
6 
CULTURAL SITES, VISUAL ARTS, PERFORMING ARTS,
7 
PUBLISHING AND PRINTED MEDIA, AUDIOVISUALS, DESIGN,
8 
NEW MEDIA, ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, ADVERTISING
9 
SERVICES, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES,
10 
CREATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, AND
11 
OTHER CREATIVE-RELATED TECHNOLOGIES."
12 
SEC. 6. Section 6 (a) of R.A. No. 11035 or the Balik Scientist Act Is hereby
13 
amended to read as follows:
14 
"Section 6. General Benefits, Incentives, and Privileges. - All Balik
15 
Scientists under the short-term, medium-term or long-term
16 
engagements shall be eligible for the following general benefits,
17 
incentives, and privileges:
18 
(a) Exemption form the licensing or permitting requirements of the
19 
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC); Provided, That the DOST
20 
shall submit to the PRC the list of Balik Scientists with the
21 
corresponding duration of awarded engagement[t]: PROVIDED
22 
FURTHER, THAT IF AFTER THEIR SERVICE, THE BALIK
23 
SCIENTIST DECIDES TO REPATRIATE, THE DOLE AND THE
24 
PRC SHALL FACILITATE HIS OR HER ENTRY TO THE
25 
WORKFORCE AND IN THE PRACTICE OF HIS OR HER
26 
PROFESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES. THE PRC SHALL ISSUE
27 
THE NECESSARY GUIDELINES TO IMPLEMENT THIS
28 
SUBSECTION WITHIN 60 DAYS FROM APPROVAL OF THIS
29 
ACT;"
30 
XXX
31 
(e) Tax and duty exemption in the donation of equipment,
32 
instruments, and materials to the DOST OR OTHER RELEVANT


1 
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES: Provided, That the DOST OR THE
2 
DONEE-GOVERNMENT AGENCY shall bear the freight and storage
3 
expenses related to the Importation and transportation of the donated
4 
equipment instruments, and materials; and"
5 
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months
6 
from the effectivity of this Act, the DOST in coordination with the DTI, NCCA
7 
and other relevant agencies shall promulgate the necessary rules and
8 
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.
9 
The non-promulgation of the rules and regulations provided under this
10 
section shall not bar the immediate implementation of this Act upon its
11 
effectivity.
12 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - Should any provision herein be declared
13 
unconstitutional the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of
14 
this Act.
15 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause.- All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
16 
regulations or other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this
17 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
18 
SEC. 9. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
19 
publication in the Offidal Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in
20 
the Philippines.
Approved,