For decades the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) had endeavored to legislate in the House of Congress and in the Senate the Balik Scientist Act.
After 20 years, the Republic Act 11035 or Balik Scientist Act was signed into law by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.
The Balik Scientist Act aims to encourage our Filipino Scientists based abroad to come home and share their expertise here in our country. This program is in line to Pres. Duterte’s vision on ” Ambisyon Natin 2040: Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay”.
On March 20, 2019, the DOST-STII ( Science and Technology Information Institute ) had a DOSTkusyon (Science for the People) regarding the Balik Scientist Program at Sulo Hotel, Quezon City.
Sec. Fortunato de la Pena delivered his message and informed that they were able to convince a high number of Scientists to come back to the Philippines. The influx would surpass the expected target for this year considering the good benefits and incentives our government had to offer.
Sec. Fortunato de la Pena took the opportunity to introduce the three (3) Balik Scientists: Dr. Emmanuel S. Baja.( Environment Epimedology), Dr. Josefino C. Comiso (Remote Sensing, Climate Change), Dr. Rodrigo S. Jamisola, Jr. (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle).
He mentioned that recently a Filipino based in Australia and a practitioner in Nuclear Medicine had joined at DOST-PNRI for a year. In the next few days he will be in New York for a meeting with the Filipino Scientists there to discuss about this program, with high hopes that later they would be encouraged to come back to the Philippines to share their expertise.
As Balik Scientist they expect from this newly legislated program to aid for funding of their different projects which in turn can contribute to the development and growth of our country.
With their achievements and accomplishments as Filipino Scientists they serve as an inspirations to the whole nation and as well as the Filipino abroad.
