DECLARING A BALIK-SCIENTIST PROGRAM, ALLOWING ANY FOREIGN-BASED SCIENTIST, PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICIAN, OR ANY PERSON WITH SPECIAL SKILL OR EXPERTISE WHO IS OF FILIPINO ORIGIN OR DESCENT TO PRACTICE HIS/HER PROFESSION OR EXPERTISE IN THE PHILIPPINES AND ALIGNING INCENTIVES FOR HIM/HER AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

• Number: Presidential Decree No. 819
• Sections: 7

Preamble

WHEREAS, Letter of Instructions No. 210 dated August 20,

1974 extending the Balikbayan Program to another period beginning

September 1, 1975 to February 29, 1976, and has especially emphasized

"our duty to encourage overseas Filipino scientists and technicians to

come home and apply their knowledge to the development programs of the

country...";

WHEREAS, Presidential Decree No. 541 allows erstwhile

Filipino professionals to practice their professions in the Philippines

under certain conditions but did not specify Filipino professionals who

passed licensure examinations given by their host country;

WHEREAS, Presidential Decree No. 659 amending Section 5(j)

of Presidential Decree No. 223 allows foreign nationals to practice

their professions in the Philippines, also under certain conditions, but

did not include those of Filipino origin and descent and their families

who may also qualify under the Balikbayan Program;

WHEREAS, Presidential Decree No. 439 as amended by

Presidential Decree No. 592 providing for tax holiday for overseas

Filipinos as contemplated in Letters of Instructions No. 105, 163 and

210 which would include Balik-Scientists, is co-terminous with the

Balikbayan program which will end on February 29, 1976;

WHEREAS, there is need of attracting foreign-based

scientists, professionals, or persons with special skill or expertise

who are of Filipino descent or origin to visit the Philippines in order

for them to learn the truth about the New Philippines and contribute

their share in the building of a New Society;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the

Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution,

do hereby decree and order the following:

Section 1

SECTION 1. Any foreign-based scientist, technician, or

professional, or any person with special skill or expertise who is a

Filipino or of Filipino origin or descent and the members of his/her

family, who is licensed to practice his/her profession, special skill or

expertise in his/her host, adopted or native country, may practice

his/her profession, special skill or expertise while staying in the

Philippines either on a temporary or permanent bases upon approval by

the Secretary of Health: PROVIDED, That such foreign-based scientist,

technician or professional shall first register with the Professional

Regulation Commission regardless of whether or not, his special skill or

expertise falls within any of the regulated professions and vocations

in the Philippines and pay the required license fee for the practice of

his/her profession, skill or expertise in his country.

Section 2

SEC. 2. All incentives, benefits and privileges now granted

to or being enjoyed by overseas homecoming Filipinos (Balikbayans) under

existing decrees or letters of instructions, are hereby granted to and

maybe availed of by professionals, scientists, or technicians referred

to in Section 1 hereof, for the duration of the Balik-Scientist program

which shall run for a period of five (5) years from the date of

effectivity of this decree.

Section 3

SEC. 3. The Department of Tourism, the National Science

Development Board and the Professional Regulation Commission shall

coordinate their activities in this regard and, within thirty (30) days

from the promulgation of this Decree, jointly promulgate such rules and

regulations as maybe necessary to implement and carry out effectively

the purpose, spirit and objective of this Decree. Said Rules and

Regulations shall include such additional incentives, benefits and

privileges that maybe necessary to attract the individuals referred to

in Section 1 hereof, to come and help in the scientific and

technological advancement of the country.

Section 4

SEC. 4. The Secretary of Tourism, in his capacity as

Chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Board, or his duly authorized

representative, is hereby authorized to negotiate with or secure from

any airline company non-revenue or discounted air passage tickets for

the use of any of the individuals covered by this Decree.

Section 5

SEC. 5. All laws, decrees, orders, letters of instructions,

rules and regulations or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the

provisions of this Decree are hereby repealed, superseded, modified or

amended accordingly.

Section 6

SEC. 6. This Decree shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 24th day of October, in the year

of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-five.

(Sgd.)

FERDINAND E. MARCOS

President

Republic of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.)

ALEJANDRO MELCHOR

Executive Secretary