1.0 Purpose

Pursuant to the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Balik Scientist Program (E.O. No. 130), these guidelines shall govern the re-availment of the Balik Scientist Short-Term program of E.O. No. 130 to qualified Filipino Scientists as well as the grant of financial privileges/benefits appurtenant thereto.

2.0  Definition of Terms

2.1 Short-Term Program - It is a program utilizing the expertise of expatriate Filipino Scientist and Technologist with duration of at least one (1) month. The Scientist can avail of the program several times with graduated incentives subject to the approval of the Secretary.

2.2 Subsequent Visit -  the re-availment of a Balik Scientist who has once substantially completed a short-term program and wants to return and avail of the same program either of the following reasons:

2.2.1 Follow-through visit/s to the same organization where he/she had provided his/her expertise to carry out the same or related project; or

2.2.2 To perform sequel activity(ies) to the original project/same technology but to a different institution/s.

2.3 Graduated Incentives -  these are incentives/benefits provided to a Balik Scientist who avails of the Balik Scientist Short-Term Program under these guidelines and which is subject to the approval of the Secretary.

3.0 Coverage

These guidelines shall cover only Filipino Scientist who has once availed of the Balik Scientist Short-Term program.

4.0 Entitlement to the Graduated Incentive

Filipino Scientists who are qualified to avail of this program shall be entitled to the following incentives/benefits, subject to the approval of the Secretary:

4.1 Free roundtrip economy airfare originating from a foreign country to the Philippines by direct route. Computation shall be based on the currency rate prevailing on the date when the airline ticket was purchased; and

4.2 Daily subsistence allowance of not more than 100 US dollar per day as may be recommended by DOST Executive Committee (DOST EXECOM) and approved by the Secretary.

5.0 Duration and number of Subsequent Visits

There shall be no limit in the number of times a Balik Scientist may avail of the Short-Term Program. The length as well as the number of visit/s, however, shall be determined based on the project requirement.

6.0 Approval Procedure for Subsequent Visit/s

In addition to the procedure laid down in No. VII of the Revised Implementing Rules of Executive Order No. 130, the concerned Sectoral Council will closely monitor the activities of the applicant and will conduct evaluation of the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the scientist as well as the original host institution for follow-up visit.

7.0 Effectivity

This order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 22 Nov. 2007