Why do most Filipino scientists want to pursue their careers abroad?

Photo credit to @rappler.

Disclaimer: VIEWS ARE MY OWN AND DO NOT EXPRESS THE VIEWS OF THE PINOY SCIENTISTS TEAM
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A delayed post for Wisdom Wednesday. Hi again this is Denx, and today I will start my post with a question. Why do most Filipino scientists want to pursue their careers abroad?
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According to a research study conducted by the Science Education Insitute (SEI) entitled ” International Migration of Science and Technology Manpower-OFW” that the number of Filipino scientists who migrated to other countries to pursue their profession is disheartening. Former SEI director, Dr. Filma Brawner, commented on this finding “Our science professionals are highly marketable and are sought after by developed countries. However, we cannot give them enough reason to stay in the country and help us shore up the research and development agenda of the Philippines.”
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I have experienced a lot of difficulties doing research in the Philippines, such as having limited laboratory supplies, not enough funding, and it seems to me that being a researcher in our country is a one-man’s job. One might argue that this situation is “okay” because we are Filipinos and being resilient is rooted in our culture, but the main problem is that we are experiencing these struggles because most (but not all) of our politicians don’t even know the importance of scientific research. Thus, the advancement of S&T in our country is slow.
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As Sen. Cynthia Villar once said,” Bakit baliw na baliw kayo sa research? Aanhin niyo ba yung research?” (photo #2). And President Duterte just made a statement yesterday that “Our scientist must work double the time, mag-isip talaga kayo. You must come up with something to help the Filipinos”. It goes to show that we are undervalued in our own country. No matter how hard we work and how hard we change the perception of science in the Philippines, at the end of the day, these politicians control the landscape of our country.
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I hope that one day we will be recognized as an essential part of our society and be represented in the government. When this day comes, I don’t think that Filipino scientists would be forced to go abroad.