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[av_heading heading=’‘Make better offers for Filipino scientists’’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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Friday, June 30, 2017
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MANILA – Two Senate bills aim to encourage Filipino scientists working abroad to return to the Philippines and to provide for better incentives for science and technology (S&T) professionals in the country.
Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, science and technology committee chairman, called on his colleagues to speed up the passage of Senate Bill Nos. 1183 and 679.
Senate Bill No. 1183, or the Balik Scientists Bill, seeks to facilitate the return of overseas Filipino scientists to the Philippines for short-term or long-term work and to provide them financial incentives.
On the other hand, Senate Bill No. 679, or the Magna Carta for Scientists, proposes to remove the limits on additional salary or honoraria that S&T professionals receive.
Their research contributions are “undervalued” in the Philippines, forcing Filipino scientists and engineers to seek greener pastures abroad, Aquino lamented.
An institutionalized program beneficial to Filipino scientists working abroad will encourage them to go back to the Philippines and contribute to addressing development gaps, said the senator.
Aquino said the Philippines needs 19,000 more scientists in public and private sectors to become a “global hub” for research and development.
Amendments to the Magna Carta for Scientists will streamline the process of providing benefits and incentives to state S&T personnel, he said.
“We find science and technology embedded in every branch of modern life, driving progress and innovation,” said Aquino. “It is in the best interest of the country and its people to foster our local talent in the field of S&T to drive development in the Philippines and improve the lives of millions of Filipinos.”/PN
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