The pandemic made an impact on the science community and created a disruption in the scientific activities of our local scientists. However, our Balik Scientists beat the odds by continuing to engage in R&D activities in the country. One of our Balik Scientists, Dr. Venecio U. Ultra Jr., a soil science expert, continued the R&D work with the Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) despite the difficulties due to restrictions. As NwSSU is new to R&D work, the involvement of our Balik Scientist boosted their project on sustainability assessment of agriculture and aquatic food production in Taft River Basin, a body of water that is affected by the post-operation of the Bagacay Mines.
Other Balik Scientists featured were our “stay” Balik Scientists. They are Balik Scientists who decided to stay for good contributing continuously to the development of Science, Technology and Innovation in the country.
The accounts of Dr. Ultra with NwSSU and our stay Balik Scientists were some of the highlights in the recently conducted 7th Balik Scientist Program (BSP) Annual Convention organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) held last November 19, 2021, Friday, via Zoom and other online platforms.
The BSP convention is a yearly gathering of Balik Scientists and Host Institutions, which serves as a platform for returning Filipino researchers to impart their knowledge, experiences, and initiatives in the areas of agriculture, health, industry, energy, and emerging technologies. It also provides an avenue for research collaborations, networking, and forging of ties among Balik Scientists, existing and prospective Host Institutions, and other stakeholders.
Other experts that were also featured during the convention include Dr. Christian Mark G. Salvador and Dr. Heidi Frisco-Cabanos. Dr. Salvador specializes in the formation and transformation of atmospheric pollutants while Dr. Heidi Frisco-Cabanos focuses on translational research, chemical biology and oncology and infectious diseases. The host institutions and other Balik Scientists like Dr. Florence Onda, Dr. Thomas Neil Pascual, and Dr. Chosel P. Lawagon who stayed in country also participated in sharing their experiences on how they have provided solutions to the challenges brought by the pandemic.
“The sharing of experiences from our Balik Scientists and Host Institutions demonstrates the ingenuity and determination to move forward whatever
circumstances that may come and may hamper their momentum”, as mentioned Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Executive Director of DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD)
“DOST will continue working closely with our researchers under the BSP to build local capacities in research and to generate accessible innovations for all,” Secretary Fortunato de la Peña, mentioned. “We have relatively new fields in the Philippines where we need experts in neuroscience, quantum computing, plant breeding, medical chemistry, among others. We need the expertise of our Balik Scientists to further these new interests in the country.” he added.
This year’s theme, “Balik Scientist: Tugon sa Hamon ng Panahon”, conveyed the message that Balik Scientists, together with the local counterparts in host institutions, thrive even in the most critical situation whether they are here in the country or currently abroad.
In the said convention, a new BSP online portal was launched to cater to potential Balik Scientists and Host Institutions in processing of online application in five easy steps.
Relative to the implementation of the program amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the DOST adjusted the program guidelines which now allow a 100 percent remote engagement of Balik Scientists under Short-Term category to ensure the health and safety of the Balik Scientists and the Host Institutions
“Through this activity, we hope to stir your patriotic spirit of cherishing the Philippines and serving the people. That science has no borders, and Filipino scientists have their motherland. We need more Balik Scientists! We need you to adapt foreign technologies to local realities,” Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara, said.
The BSP was established in 1975 to counteract the nationwide concern on “brain drain” or the emigration of highly trained professionals from our country, in search of a better standard of living and quality of life, higher salaries, access to advanced technology and more stable political conditions in different places worldwide.
Through the program, foreign-based Filipinos are encouraged to return to the country and impart their knowledge and expertise for the advancement of research and development in the country, as well as address development gaps.
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