MANDALUYONG CITY, PHILIPPINES — The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) participated in a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on harnessing the Filipino diaspora for national innovation and development. The event, held on 15 October 2025 at Mega Tower in Mandaluyong City, was convened by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev).

The FGD, organized by DEPDev (formerly the National Economic and Development Authority), aimed to gather insights from government agencies on streamlining processes and creating mechanisms to reintegrate overseas Filipinos and individuals of Filipino heritage into the country’s innovation ecosystem. This initiative supports the implementation of Section 18 of Republic Act No. 11293, the Philippine Innovation Act, which mandates strategies to mobilize the diaspora for national development.

Discussions focused on adopting a broader, more inclusive definition of the Filipino diaspora—one that recognizes not only citizens working abroad but also dual citizens and foreign nationals of Filipino descent. Participants also examined existing programs, such as the Balik Scientist Program (BSP), and explored ways to enhance incentives and reintegration pathways for returning professionals.

Representing the PRC, Director Atty. Melisa Jane Comafay Yeachana outlined the PRC’s ongoing policy studies concerning special permits for returning former Filipino professionals. Citing Memorandum Circular No. 1, s. 2019, which governs the employment of foreign nationals and serving as a foundational policy for inter-agency harmonization, Atty. Yeachana also highlighted the role of ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) in facilitating professional mobility within the region.

DEPDev also emphasized the importance of inter-agency coordination, systematic data sharing, and the potential creation of a "green lane" for diaspora professionals. Through these collaborative discussions, the PRC reaffirmed its commitment to providing regulatory guidance and technical expertise to ensure the strategic integration of overseas Filipino talent into national development goals.

The session included representatives from the World Bank, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), the Bureau of Immigration (BI), and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA).

Photo by: National Innovation Council Secretariat via Filipinovation

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