Balik Scientist Program Institutionalization

Program Established and DOST Duties

Section 3 creates the Balik Scientist Program, administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The DOST must survey and identify scientific and technological expertise absent or limited locally that may be addressed by a Balik Scientist in coordination with host institutions.
The DOST must manage and facilitate processing of applications and awards for short-term, medium-term, or long-term engagement of Balik Scientists in coordination with host institutions.
The DOST must provide and facilitate release of the appropriate benefits and incentives under the Act to Balik Scientists who pass DOST’s application process, in coordination with host institutions.
The DOST must issue rules and regulations for efficient provision of benefits and incentives, including clarification of rules promulgated and administered by other government agencies.
The DOST must monitor implementation of the Program, and the fulfillment of agreed obligations and responsibilities of Balik Scientists, in coordination with host institutions.
The DOST must assess impact of each awarded engagement and the overall implementation of the Program.
The DOST must issue guiding R&D and industry development agenda to guide prioritization of awards and grants-in-aid under the Act.
The DOST must prioritize short-term, medium-term, and long-term engagements and grants-in-aid that complement or address needs in ongoing or prospective government programs and projects of local and national significance.
The DOST determines other privileges and incentives that may be extended to Balik Scientists.

Objectives and Scope of Engagement

Section 4 requires the Program to strengthen scientific and technological human resources of the academe, public and private institutions, including locally registered enterprises, to promote knowledge sharing and accelerate the flow of new technologies into the country.
The DOST must approve and award short-term, medium-term, and long-term engagements to Balik Scientists.
Balik Scientists must participate in activities such as mentorship, training, lecture, research and development, technology transfer initiatives, and similar endeavors, subject to an agreement among the DOST, the Balik Scientist, and the host institution.
The DOST must ensure participation aligns with national priorities and agenda on science, technology or innovation, R&D, and industry development.

Key Definitions and Program Terms

Section 5 defines the following terms for purposes of the Act:
A Balik Scientist is a science, technology or innovation expert or professional certified by the DOST who is either:
- A Filipino citizen, or
- A foreigner of Filipino descent,
  who undertakes science and technology activities along his or her field of expertise with a host institution under short-term, medium-term, or long-term engagement.
A Balik Scientist must be either:
- A resident of another country at the time of application; or
- A Philippine-resident for not more than three (3) years at the time of application, beginning from the most recent date of arrival from overseas education or employment along his or her field of expertise.
Individuals without graduate degrees equipped with exceptional expertise can be qualified under the Program.
Host Institution means a government, agency, public or private academic institution, or a locally registered enterprise in the Philippines that will undertake science, technology or innovation activities, or R&D initiatives, with a Balik Scientist.
Short-Term Engagement is an engagement term with a minimum duration of fifteen (15) days and a maximum duration of six (6) months per award, to be served within one (1) year from the date of the award.
Medium-Term Engagement is an engagement term with a duration more than six (6) months but not to exceed one (1) year per award, to be served within two (2) to three (3) years from the date of the award.
Long-Term Engagement is an engagement term with a duration more than one (1) year to three (3) years, subject to renewal to be determined by the DOST and to be served within five (5) years from the date of the award.

Benefits and Incentives Granted

Section 6 grants all Balik Scientists under short-term, medium-term, or long-term engagements eligibility for the following general benefits, incentives, and privileges:
Exemption from licensing or permitting requirements of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), with the condition that the DOST shall submit to the PRC the list of Balik Scientists with the corresponding duration of awarded engagement.
Accident and medical insurance covering the duration of the awarded engagement by DOST.
Reimbursement of expenses for excess baggage allowance related to scientific project or activities.
Exemption from renouncing their oath of allegiance to the country where they took the oath, unless the Balik Scientist, after service, decides to repatriate and retain the government position, as applicable.
Tax and duty exemption in donation of equipment, instruments, and materials to the DOST, with the condition that the DOST shall bear the freight and storage expenses related to importation and transportation of the donated items.
Tax and duty exemption in importation of professional equipment, instruments, and materials of the Balik Scientist.
Section 7 provides term-specific eligibility:

Short-Term, Medium-Term, and Long-Term Benefits

Section 7(a) Short-Term Program eligibility includes:
- One (1) round-trip airfare originating from a foreign country to the Philippines, exempt from Philippine Travel Tax.
- When applicable, visa application duly subsidized and facilitated by the DOST, with validity covering the duration of the awarded engagement.
- Tax exempt daily allowance to be determined by the DOST.
- Participation in Grants-in-Aid (GIA) R&D projects of the DOST, subject to guidelines in the implementing rules and regulations, with a grant that may be provided to the Balik Scientist and released through the host institution for project implementation under relevant government regulations and Program needs.
Section 7(b) Medium-Term Program eligibility includes:
- One (1) round-trip airfare originating from a foreign country to the Philippines, exempt from Philippine Travel Tax.
- When applicable, visa application duly subsidized and facilitated by the DOST, with validity covering the duration of the awarded engagement.
- Tax exempt daily allowance with rates to be determined by the DOST.
- Participation in GIA R&D projects of the DOST under implementing rule guidelines, with grants that may be provided to the Balik Scientist and released through the host institution under relevant regulations and Program needs.
Section 7(c) Long-Term Program eligibility includes:
- One (1) round-trip airfare originating from a foreign country to the Philippines, exempt from Philippine Travel Tax for the awardees, their spouses, and minor dependents.
- Special Relocation Benefits, including:
  - A special nonimmigrant visa for awardees, their spouses, and minor children, with validity covering the duration of the awarded long-term engagement.
  - Exemption from the requirement to secure an alien employment permit from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for Balik Scientists and their spouses.
  - Exemption from submission of an immigration clearance certificate and payment of multiple entry fees.
  - Tax and duty exemption in importation of personal and household effects, professional equipment, instruments, and materials of the Balik Scientist.
  - Tax and duty exemption in importation of one (1) motor vehicle with gross vehicle weight (GVW) not exceeding 3.5 tons, subject to the motor vehicle classification standard set by the Bureau of Customs.
  - Compliance conditions for the motor vehicle importation: the Balik Scientist, assisted by the DOST, must ensure compliance with other applicable rules and regulations.
  - An endorsement from the DOST shall suffice as a substitute to required personal appearance.
  - Exemption from posting bond and exportation of the motor vehicle to the country of origin upon expiration of the award.
  - Admission assistance to the preferred schools for the minor children of Balik Scientists.
  - Assistance in securing job opportunities for the spouse of the Balik Scientist.
  - Relocation allowance to be determined by the DOST.
  - Monthly housing or accommodation allowance.
- Participation in GIA R&D projects of the DOST subject to implementing rules and regulations, with grants that may be provided to the Balik Scientist and released through the host institution under relevant government regulations and Program needs.
- Funding for establishment and development of a facility or laboratory, with the rule that the facility or laboratory shall be deemed government property.

Roles in DOST R&D Leadership

Section 8 requires Balik Scientist awardees to assume mentorship, leadership, and professional or technical roles in the DOST’s R&D Leadership Program and other similar initiatives.
These roles must be included in the contract among the DOST, the host agency, and the Balik Scientist awardee.

Administration, Priorities, Conventions, and Data

Section 9 provides that the Program is administered by the DOST.
The DOST must coordinate Program activities with other departments, agencies, bureaus, including government-owned and/or -controlled corporations, to carry out the Act’s provisions.
The DOST must prioritize areas including, but not limited to:
- Space Technology
- Artificial Intelligence
- Biomedical Engineering
- Energy
- Agriculture and Food
- Biotechnology
- Information and Communications Technology
- Pharmaceutical
- Disaster Mitigation and Management
- Environment and Natural Resources
- Electronics
- Genoraics
- Health
- Manufacturing
- Nanotechnology
- Cyber Security
- Semiconductors
The priority areas must align with the Philippine Development Plan, and the priority areas identified by the DOST Secretary may vary depending on urgent needs and government programs.
The DOST may assign the Balik Scientist Program to its sectoral councils to strengthen, institutionalize, and focus each council’s priority programs.
Section 10 requires the DOST to organize annual conventions to acknowledge the role of Balik Scientists and to highlight successes in explorations, research, industries, emerging technologies, and science, technology or innovations.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Databank

Section 11 requires the DOST to require Balik Scientists to submit accomplishment reports after serving their term to ensure results are properly applied and utilized.
The DOST must submit an Annual Summary Report of the Program to the Committees on Science and Technology of both Houses of Congress.
The Annual Summary Report must include an accurate account of expenditures and work-related activities for the duration of the term.
Section 12 requires the DOST to create and maintain a databank of Balik Scientists who availed of the Program from the start of implementation to serve as a directory and guide for promoting Filipino scientific research and technological human resources that improve R&D in public and private corporations.

Additional Incentives and Funding

Section 13 authorizes the DOST to draw up other benefits and privileges extended to Balik Scientists through rules and regulations implementing the Act in accordance with existing laws and issuances that accelerate industrial development.
Section 13 expressly allows implementing rules to include a one-time incentive bonus and other necessary incentives, benefits, and privileges to attract individuals to assist in scientific and technological advancement.
Section 14 requires that funds necessary to carry out the Act be included in the DOST’s annual budget in accordance with the annual General Appropriations Act.

Implementing Rules, Separability, Repeal, and Effectivity

Section 15 requires the DOST, in consultation with concerned agencies and other relevant stakeholders, to promulgate necessary rules and regulations within ninety (90) days from the Act’s effectivity.
Section 16 provides a separability rule: if any provision is declared unconstitutional, validity of remaining provisions is not affected.
Section 17 repeals or modifies inconsistent laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof.
Section 18 sets effectivity at fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.