DOST Scholars Are Now Free from Travel Ban
DOST Scholars
are required to render service to the country with a duration equivalent to the
number of years the scholarship was availed. This is the common thinking that
each DOST scholar has. After enjoying free semestral entrance and tuition fees,
monthly stipends, books and uniform allowances you will have travel
restrictions as stated in the scholarship contract with the government
institution. Their names are included in Bureau of Immigration’s watchlist and
were issued travel hold order. In addition to this, if you were not able to
fulfill this obligation you would have to pay back all the depreciated expenses
and allowances given/shouldered by DOST plus 12% interest.
Just recently,
it was reported that travel ban for DOST scholars has been lifted. In a memo
released by the Bureau of Immigration Commissioner, Ricardo A. David Jr., and
addressed to the Chief of Information and Communications Technology Chief,
Jolly Bert G. Galleon, and Airport Operations Division Chief, Benito G. Se,
Jr., it is stated that names of DOST scholars shall be removed from the
watchlist.
“Pursuant to
the legal opinion of the Honorable Department of Justice Secretary particularly
disapproving the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Science and
Technology and the Bureau of Immigration, the Chief of the Information and
Communications Technology Section is directed to remove the names of ANY and
ALL scholars in the Watchlist (DOST/CHED/SUC Scholars) within five (5) days
from receipt of this Order. Pending the total removal of these names, scholars whose names appear in the
Watchlist shall be allowed to leave without being required to present
any document issued by the Bureau, unless the concerned scholar is prevented to
travel by some other lawful case.
The Chief of
the Airport Operations Division is directed to inform all supervisors and
immigration officers to comply with this directive and insure compliance with
the same.”, as stated in the memorandum from BOI commissioner dated June 14,
2012.
Please see
screenshot below for the signed copy of Memorandum.