Reflection

Science & Technology under President Duterte’s Administration

1. Program: Balik Scientist Law or R.A. No. 11035
It is also known as an “Act Institutionalizing the Balik Scientist Program”, which
would give more benefits to returning Filipino experts, scientists, inventors, and
engineers who would share their expertise in the country. It was signed on June 15,
2018 by President Duterte.
2. Yes, I think the program served the public good because it did encouraged some
scientists to come back to the country to share their expertise. These scientists are also
part of the public and they received the benefits as promised by the government to
support their scientific activities. Instead of using their knowledge and skills abroad to
the benefit of other countries, they chose to come back to serve our country which is a
good thing for our nation’s development. It is beneficial because they would have
learned new things from their work abroad and will be able to apply it further in our
country. It will help us to catch up to the science and technology of other countries.
One of the beneficiaries of this law is Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana, director of the
Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the National Institutes of Health of
the University of the Philippines Manila, and he made a groundbreaking discovery that
the HIV subtype in the country has shifted into a potentially more aggressive and drug-
resistant strain. He was one of the first medical experts to alert us on the growing HIV
epidemic in the country. His findings were helpful not only in the Philippines but also
worldwide. He wouldn’t have been here and helping in the country today if not for the
DOST’s Balik Scientist Law. Hence, it has done the public good.
The Balik Scientist Law continues to entice more people. As of June last year,
526 Balik Scientists have already participated in the program. Of this number, 659
engagements have benefited academic, government and private institutions as well as
local industries. There still are areas of improvement, but it gives hope for the growth of
our country. Furthermore, I believe that some of them may also be one of the frontliners
in this pandemic we are facing right now and are doing their best to provide help.