Balik Scientist Program: Solidifying Dreams of Modernization for the Philippine Nation
By: James Bernard Herrera
Balik Puso, Balik Pilipinas, Balik Scientist! Filipino experts from various fields have been leaving our home country for decades in hopes of attaining greater heights in their careers. As time went by, in an attempt to ease the burden on the country’s development, the Philippine government took the initiative to establish the Balik Scientist Program (BSP). While it was enacted back in 1975, it was formally institutionalized as the Republic Act 11035 in 2018.
This program serves to be a stopgap, counteracting the effects of brain drain in the country. BSP promotes the local circulation of information and knowledge that Filipino experts from abroad have gained from their years of practice, which strengthens the science and technology capabilities of the Philippines. Knowledge and information transfer also accelerates the flow of technology within public and private industries, the academe, and government institutions, which guarantees progress in various fields.
BSP also provides incentives to the returning Filipino experts, on top of their chance to serve as pioneers of innovation in their home country. According to Executive Director Enrico C. Paringit of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), the program had successfully connected with 157 Balik Scientists since 2013, all of which came to impart their experiences and learnings in different sectors. At present, there have been a total of 664 successful BSP engagements since the year 1975.
Among the experts that the BSP has brought back to the country, one of them specializes in robotics. Dr. Albert Causo, CEO and co-founder of Hand Plus Robotics based in Singapore, who is also the second Balik Scientist who became associated with DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC), did a short-term engagement where he worked with Dr. Jayson Rogelio from Advanced Mechatronics, Robotics, and Industrial Automation Laboratory (MIRDC-AMERIAL). Prior to his BSP engagement, he mentioned that he chose to do the short-term option which he considers as the “getting to know” stage of this program, and will later decide his next course afterwards.
At the end of his program term, Dr. Causo had his exit presentation in the morning of September 16, 2024. His presentation titled “Are We Ready for Robots? Opportunities and Challenges for Robotics in the Philippines” laid bare the current reality of robotics in the country. “In summary, we need to catch up”, he said as he went straight to declaring the findings of his study. In relation to this, Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) Executive Director Robert O. Dizon stated, “there’s not much activity in automation. What’s lacking? Expertise in robotics.”
Showcasing of robotic arm by Dr. Causo in his presentation (Source: Dr. Albert Causo)
Following this, Dr. Causo said that back in December 2023, he met with Executive Director Paringit where one of their discussions included that he was hoping to put up a subsidiary of his company in Singapore here in the Philippines. However, he decided to let go of the idea after learning that the country lacks qualified robotics engineers for the company to operate, and opted to go for Malaysia instead.
This missed opportunity highlights the challenges our country is facing in this field of expertise, but mentioned that he can still see its potential in the near future. At present, Dr. Causo is the Program Director of ALGOrhythm Robotics Center in Cebu City where they guide and train the younger generations in the field of robotics. “The best age is to start them young; slowly introduce them to technology that they can handle… let them learn the skills needed to not be afraid.”
On a similar note, Director Dizon had a training agreement with Dr. Causo where MIRDC personnel were sent to Malaysia to train under his wing. This is in hopes of upscaling the capabilities and skills of engineers in AMERIAL, which will bolster the services that MIRDC has to offer.
Dr. Causo as he tells the story of his experience as a Balik Scientist with AMERIAL
Moving further, despite the difficulties in adapting robotics on a large scale level, Dr. Causo showcased some robot related patents here in the Philippines. These creations are being used in the fields of medicine, search and rescue, environment protection, agriculture, and so on.
As the presentation came to a close, Dr. Causo expressed his satisfaction in being one of the growing Balik Scientist community. “I can say that we have a future together after experiencing the Balik Scientist Program.” He sees BSP as the start of potential future partnerships between him and the MIRDC, stating that he is looking forward to introducing the center to foreign companies that he worked with, including the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology.
To conclude, DOST’s Balik Scientist Program is a doorway of possibilities waiting to be opened by our fellow Filipinos who excelled in their own field. Not only does it let new knowledge flow into the local community, but also lets these scientists return to the place they can truly call home. Those who spread knowledge that can improve the livelihood of the people are among those that we call modern day heroes.
