Balik-Scientist Program for Filipino Professionals

Presidential Decree No. 819 is issued on October 24, 1975 by President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Presidential Decree No. 819 takes effect immediately.
The Program’s duration is fixed at five (5) years from the date of effectivity of the Decree under Section 2.

Section 1 allows a foreign-based scientist, technician, or professional, or any person with special skill or expertise who is of Filipino origin or descent, to practice in the Philippines.
Section 1 extends coverage to the members of the individual’s family.
Practice is allowed on either temporary or permanent bases.
Section 1 requires approval by the Secretary of Health before the individual may practice in the Philippines.
Section 1 requires prior registration with the Professional Regulation Commission, regardless of whether the special skill or expertise falls within regulated professions and vocations in the Philippines.
Section 1 requires the applicant to pay the required license fee for practice in his/her host country as a condition before approval and practice.

Section 2 grants participating professionals, scientists, or technicians the all incentives, benefits, and privileges previously granted to overseas homecoming Filipinos (Balikbayans) under existing decrees or letters of instructions.
Section 2 limits the availment of these incentives to the duration of the Balik-Scientist program, which runs for five (5) years from the date of effectivity of Presidential Decree No. 819.
Section 2 expressly authorizes professionals covered in Section 1 to avail of these incentives and privileges for that period.

Section 3 requires coordination among the Department of Tourism, the National Science Development Board, and the Professional Regulation Commission.
Section 3 mandates that these agencies jointly promulgate implementing rules within thirty (30) days from the promulgation of Presidential Decree No. 819.
Section 3 requires the implementing rules to include provisions necessary to implement and carry out effectively the purpose, spirit, and objective of the Decree.
Section 3 authorizes the rules to include additional incentives, benefits, and privileges necessary to attract the individuals covered by Section 1 to help advance the country’s scientific and technological development.

Section 4 authorizes the Secretary of Tourism, acting in his capacity as Chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Board, or a duly authorized representative, to negotiate with or secure from any airline company non-revenue or discounted air passage tickets.
Section 4 limits the tickets to the individuals covered by the Decree under Section 1.

Section 5 repeals, supersedes, modifies, or amends accordingly all laws, decrees, orders, letters of instructions, rules and regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with Presidential Decree No. 819.

Presidential Decree No. 819 is designed to attract foreign-based Filipino-origin or descent scientists, professionals, or persons with special skill or expertise to visit the Philippines.
Presidential Decree No. 819 aims for participants to learn the truth about the “New Philippines” and to contribute their share to building a New Society.
Presidential Decree No. 819 ties the incentives approach to earlier government initiatives encouraging return and application of overseas expertise in development programs.