President signs law providing benefits to ‘balik’ scientists

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law providing incentives and assistance to Filipino scientists, experts, inventors, and engineers returning to the country.

Republic Act No. 11035, or the Balik Scientist Act, was signed by the President on June 15 following the ratification of its final version in March.

The law provides benefits, incentives and privileges to science, technology, or innovation experts of Filipino descent to encourage and support their participation in the development of important technologies.

The Department of Science and Technology will implement the program. —Julie M. Aurelio