DOST to finds more ways to make Pinoy scientists stay in Philippines

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Thursday said it will find more ways and programs in order to make Filipino scientists stay in the country.

At the public briefing, DOST Undersecretary Sancho Mabborang said the department’s Balik Scientist Program is continuously being implemented, adding that many Filipino scientists returned to the county and engaged in the different projects.

“Tuloy tuloy po yung ating pagtulong at yung programa na Balik Scientist [program], in fact maraming balik scientist natin na nandirito ngayon ay engage po sa iba't ibang proyekto ng ating departamento hindi lang po sa NCR (National Capital Region) kung hindi maging sa mga [iba’t-ibang] rehiyon,” Mabborang said.

(We continue to provide assistance for the Balik Scientist Program, in fact many of our balik scientists who are now here are engaged in various projects of our department not only in the NCR but also in the different regions,” Mabborang said.

“Natutuwa po kami dahil maganda po ang mga feedback na aming natatanggap at itong mga balik scientist na Filipinos natin ay nakakacontribute po para makapagbigay ng solusyon sa ating mga problema especially yung mga balik scientist na involve sa health at tumutulong upang maestablish din natin at magkaroon ng direction yung Virology Institute of the Philippines,” he added.

(We are happy because the feedback that we are receiving is good and these returned Filipino scientists are able to contribute and provide solutions to our problems especially those involved in health and help us to establish the Virology Institute of the Philippines.)

The Balik Scientist Program of the DOST urges Filipino scientists, technologists, and experts to return to the country and share their expertise in order to promote scientific, agro-industrial, and economic development.

“Tuloy tuloy po ang ating pagsuporta at pagtulong dito. Nagiisip pa po kami ng iba pang paraan o kumbaga permanente na po yung pagtatagal ng scientist dito sa ating bansa,” he said.

(We will continue to support and help. We are still thinking of other ways to make our Filipino scientists permanently stay here in our country.)

Mabborang said the DOST continuously implements its programs for Filipino scientists to provide them with more opportunities.

“Tayo naman po sa abot ng ating makakaya bagamat masasabi ko ang ating budget ay hindi kalakihan nakagawa po tayo ng programa upang yung ating mananaliksik dito ay mabigyan natin ng oportunidad na makapagtrabaho,” he added.

(Although, I can say that our budget is not that big, we have created programs so that our researchers here can be given the opportunity to work.)

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. earlier called on the DOST to provide more incentives for Filipino scientists to entice them to return to the country and share their skills and knowledge.

Marcos said he also is hoping that the DOST will sustain and augment the short-, medium-, and long-term benefits for the Balik Scientists and their families provided for under the law and beyond. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News