Duterte Approves ‘Balik Scientist’ Law to Combat Brain Drain

The brain drain in the Philippines is no joke. That’s why in an effort to reverse it, President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the “Balik Scientist” Act, which will provide incentives to Filipino scientists who will return to the country for work.

When compared to the size of the population, the country has only half the required number of scientists, said “Balik Scientist” Act author Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Matutugunan din ng batas na ito ang kakulangan ng bansa sa scientists, upang makasabay na tayo sa ating mga kapitbahay sa Asya na mas marami ang nagtatrabaho sa research and development (This law will address the country’s lack of scientists so that we can keep up with our Asian neighbors where many are involved in research and development.),” said Aquino in a statement.

The president’s office gave away copies of the signed act to the reporters. According to this “Balik Scientist” Act, scientists can enjoy the following benefits:

• Exemption from the licensing or permitting requirements of the Philippine Regulation Commission.
• Accident and medical insurance coverage
• Reimbursement of expenses for excess baggage allowance related to scientific projects
• Exemption from renouncing their oath of allegiance to the country where they took oath
• Tax and duty exemption in the donation of equipment, instruments and materials to the DOST tax and duty exemption in the importation of professional equipment, instruments, and material for Balik Scientists

The Balik Scientists will enter short-term, medium-term, and long-term programs that are going to be approved and awarded by the DOST. Each program also has its own benefits.

Under the short-term program (15 days to six months), scientists can avail of a tax-exempt daily allowance, a round-trip airfare exempt from travel tax, and join DOST’s grants-in-aid research and development projects.

Under the medium-term program (six months to one year), experts can avail of a tax-exempt daily allowance, round-trip airfare exempt from travel tax, and subsidized visa.

Under the long-term program (one to three years), participants are eligible for special relocation benefits, monthly relocation allowance, one round-trip airfare exempt from travel tax, and special non-immigrant visa for their children and spouse, among other benefits.

via ABS-CBN News / Dharel Placido