FILIPINO SCIENTISTS ABROAD ASKED TO SERVE HOME THROUGH "BALIK SCIENTIST PROGRAM" (BSP) PHILIPPINE CONSULATE - NEWS RELEASE 26 July 2006 NEW YORK -- The Philippine Consulate General in New York announced recently that the Balik Scientist Program (BSP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is still accepting applications under the short-term category for CY 2006. For those who are not familiar with the Balik Scientist Program, the program aims to accelerate the scientific, agro-industrial and economic development of the country by inviting science and technology experts who are Filipinos, or foreigners of Filipino descent, to share their expertise back home. A “Balik Scientist” is, therefore, a science and technology expert who is a Filipino citizen or a foreigner of Filipino descent, residing abroad and contracted by the Philippine government to return and work in the Philippines. Short-term experts are entitled to stay in the country for a period of at least one (1) month or a maximum of three (3) months. The BSP will shoulder the expert’s roundtrip airfare up to Php150,000.00 and Daily Subsistence Allowance of US$150/day, which is fairly high by Philippine standards. Deputy Consul General Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek said, “We know the monetary reward under the Balik Scientist Program cannot compare with what our Filipino scientists and experts are probably receiving in the United States; our appeal then is geared more towards their sense of nationalism or patriotism and to the emotional high they will certainly derive knowing that they have helped accelerate the economic development of their motherland.” BSP is specifically looking for experts for the following priority industries: Biotechnology, ICT, Pharmaceuticals, Environment, Packaging R&D, and Housing and Construction. Interested applicants may download an application form and check the candidates’ qualifications and other requirements from the BSP website at www.dost.gov.ph/bsp. All applications and requirements of applicants shall be sent to: The Balik Scientist Program Department of Science and Technology Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig Metro Manila, Philippines P.O. Box 3596 Manila, Philippines Or thru Fax No. (632) 837-0086. Reference: Consul Edgar B. Badajos Press and Information Officer E-mail: ebadajos@yahoo.com Tel. No. (212) 764-1330 back to top For more information: Philippine Consulate General in New York 556 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10036 US Email: newyork@pcgny.net (212) 764-1330 Fax: (212) 382-1146 Office Hours: Monday to Friday - 9:00am to 5:00pm Closed on Philippine and U.S. Holidays Acceptance of Passport Applications: Monday to Friday - 9:00am to 4:00pm only © Copyright 2009 Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in New York. All Rights Reserved.