PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called on the Department of Science and Technology to introduce measures to encourage more students to take courses related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

He lamented that the country is being left behind when it comes to STEM programs.

“It is unfortunate that the Philippines, when we are graded amongst other countries, we do not do very well at all, especially when it comes to STEM courses,” Marcos said in his speech during the Balik Scientist Program Convention.

“Let us turn that around. And the Balik Scientist Program will have a very important part to play because we can always present to our young people, our young students, look at these Filipinos who have made a name for themselves, and who have done a lot of good work, you can do this too,” Marcos added.

On Friday, the DOST presented its plans for the BSP.

The program was founded in 1975 with the intention of encouraging Filipino scientists to share their knowledge by coming back to the Philippines.

So far, 603 scientists have returned to the country to share their knowledge, the DOST said.