JAN 7, 2016

NR # 4072

House appropriations committee approves substitute bill

providing incentives to Balik Scientists
The House committee on appropriations has approved a substitute bill seeking to
strengthen the Balik Scientist Program (BSP) to include more incentives and benefits that
will lure Filipino scientists, technology experts and researchers staying abroad to return to
the country and share their knowledge and expertise to help accelerate the countrys
economic and social development.
The appropriations committee chaired by Rep. Isidro T. Ungab (3 rd District, Davao
City) approved the substitute bill to House Bill 5388 or the proposed Balik Scientist Act
principally authored by Rep. Victor J. Yu (1st District, Zamboanga del Sur).
The main objective of the substitute bill is to strengthen the scientific and
technological human resources of the academe, public institutions, and domestic
corporations to promote knowledge sharing and accelerate the flow of new technologies
into the country.
Yu, chairman of the committee on science and technology, said due to the success of
the Balik Scientist Program, which was established through Presidential Decree 819
dated Oct. 24, 29175 for a period of five years, the BSP has been revived and instituted
under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through Executive Order No.
130 dated Oct. 25, 1993.
The existing BSP needs to be institutionalized and strengthened to provide better
incentives and benefits that would draw Filipino experts to return to their beloved country
and share even for a limited period of time, and hopefully for good, their knowledge and
expertise, thereby helping the country attain its objective of accelerating economic and
social development, said Yu.
The substitute bill defines a Balik Scientist as 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 program or award with a
duration of at least 30 days per award to be served within one year from the date of the
award, or long term award with a duration of 24 to 36 months subject to renewal when
necessary to be determined by the DOST and to be served within five years from the date
of the award.
The measure provides various incentives for short and long term programs for the
Balik Scientists. For the short-term award, the incentives are: provision of one free roundtrip airfare originating from a foreign country to the Philippines; daily allowance to be

determined by the DOST shall be exempt from income tax; participation in Grants-in-Aid
(GIA) research and development project/s of the DOST subject to guidelines to be
provided in the implementing rules and regulations; and exemption from the licensing or
permit requirement of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
Other short term award incentives are: reimbursement of expenses for excess
baggage allowance related to scientific project or activities; exemption from taxes and
duties of instruments and materials related to the scientific program or activities; and
subject to the applicable provisions of Section 29 of Commonwealth Act No. 613, grant by
the Secretary of Justice to the Balik Scientist of foreign citizenship special non-immigrant
visas 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.
For long-term award or program, the incentives for Balik Scientists are: provision of
one free one-way airfare from a foreign country to the Philippines, including airfare for
the spouse and two minor dependents, and one free return trip airfare after completion of
the award or program; reimbursement of expenses for excess baggage allowance related to
scientific project or activities; relocation allowance to be determined by the DOST;
monthly allowance to be determined by the DOST shall be exempt from income tax;
housing may be arranged by pre-determined host institutions; and as determined by the
DOST, duty and tax-free importation of personal effects and professional instruments and
materials in quantities and of class suitable to the profession, rank or profession 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.
Other incentives are: donation of equipment, instruments and materials related to
the scientific program or activities shall be exempted from taxes and duties; exemption
from payment of travel tax of the Balik Scientist, including his or her immediate family
members as certified by the DOST; exemption from the submission of Immigration
Clearance Certificate and payment of multiple entry fees; exemption from securing alien
employment permit within the duration of the award or program; exemption from the
licensing or permit requirement of the PRC; and participation in Grants-in-Aid for
research and development projects approved by the DOST Secretary. (30) rbb