By Tessa R. Salazar
The Philippines is worth returning to.
That has been the mindset of globally trained Filipino experts from around the world who have returned to the Philippines to help improve our country’s health, energy, and technology sectors.
In 50 years, 697 Filipino scientists have returned to the Philippines to make significant contributions to the country’s national development under the Balik Scientist Program (BSP) of the Department of Science and Technology.
With 933 engagements to date and growing interest from the global Filipino scientific community, BSP continues to be a cornerstone of the country’s science and technology agenda.
DOST hosted the 11th annual BSP convention last Oct. 3 at the Hilton Manila, Newport World Resorts. The convention focused on the achievements of BSP grantees who have made a significant impact in various sectors.
Among the speakers at the convention was Dr. Angelo Bañares, who is currently engaged at the University of Mindanao (UM) and Pampanga State Agricultural University. He specializes in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, with key research focused on microbial engineering for the production of high-value chemicals and the development of biosensors for dynamic regulation of engineered metabolic pathways. His current work at UM deals with metabolic engineering of microbes for the conversion of used plastic to glycolic acid (used for cosmetics like exfoliating agents).
Another featured Balik Scientist was Rev. Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, OP, PhD, who is currently hosted by the University of Santo Tomas. Fr. Austriaco is a key player in the local vaccine and biotech research ecosystem, leading notable projects in the field such as the development of a Covid-19 oral vaccine from probiotic yeast. Currently, he is also a member of the PSAC-Healthcare, directly advising President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on drug or vaccine pipelines, Balik Nurse Program, and Universal Healthcare reforms.
On the other hand, Dr. Joemel Quisumbing has been engaged in several projects, including a comprehensive tool that integrates social, environmental, and technological aspects to promote coastal pollution control, among others, addressing coastal ecosystem health.
“The theme of this year’s convention, ‘Balik Scientists in action: Real-world impact, powered by Filipino minds,’ captures the very essence of the program. It highlights that the true strength of the BSP lies not only in bringing back globally trained experts, but also in transforming their expertise into concrete actions, policies, technologies, systems, and solutions that directly uplift and benefit our people,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. “The achievements of our Balik Scientists—in fields as diverse as vaccine development, coastal engineering, aquaculture, renewable energy, and biotechnology—show how Filipino expertise can be harnessed to solve our most urgent challenges,” he added.
This year’s event included a poster exhibit, TED Talks-style BSP Talks, and a Kapihan Session on policy innovations, featuring Balik Scientists presenting their works in neurogenetics, aquaculture, renewable energy, and coastal engineering.
The BSP has expanded significantly in recent years, attracting more overseas Filipino experts to return and support national development since 1975.