By Joshua Corcuera
Recently, there were two unfortunate events involving experts. First, a government official from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) scolded experts from the University of the Philippines (UP). Second, Doc Adam — a foreign doctor who corrects misinformation on health found in Philippine social media — announced on a video published on the internet that he would bid goodbye after receiving death threats and impending lawsuits. Both events reveal the frustrating reality that experts and professionals are neither well-respected nor sufficiently supported in the country.
Scientists really need to be supported
Going to the first case mentioned earlier, the DENR official said last Wednesday that UP experts have no right to criticize the artificial white sand beach in Manila Bay for the reason that these experts are — in his own words — bayaran. This official has since then apologized because he was carried away by his emotions due to the experts’ painful criticisms.
It is essential to remember, however, that everyone — even ordinary citizens — must have a say on the issues that matter as well as the actions committed by authorities. After all, citizens are the ones who fund the salaries and allowances of government officials. If ordinary citizens have the right to criticize the-powers-that-be, then how much more for experts who are knowledgeable of certain fields of study. The UP experts are widely considered to be high-caliber especially that the institution they belong to is one of the best in the region. Henceforth, it is imperative for policy-makers to listen to their voices and opinions even if it might be painful.
Furthermore, scientists must not only be heard and respected, they must also be supported. It is apparent that huge funds are needed to conduct research and perform studies. Despite this, it is devastatingly clear that Filipino scientists are not that well-supported. Yet, a lot chose to stay in the country and exercise their specialization in spite of the meager support they receive. Therefore, to say that such experts are bayaran is to disrespect the sacrifices they have exerted for the betterment of the country, and to neglect the suffering they still encounter to this day.
The tragic fate of the helpful doctor
Moving on to the second case mentioned, a foreign doctor — Doc Adam — with several years of experience as a licensed medical practitioner creates videos in social media to help correct misinformation and misconception on health and well-being. This doctor communicates in a mixture of Filipino and English to be easily understood by Filipino viewers. His content includes clarifying health-related issues, from a medical and scientific perspective, pertaining to products with no approved therapeutic claims. This, however, caught the ire of the entrepreneurs he scrutinizes.
He shared that lawyers from the brand he scrutinized humiliated him in his clinic in front of his patients. He added that he received death threats causing him to bid goodbye from social media sites. This is a blow to people who are eager to understand key concepts regarding health as they lost a free source of health tips. Hopefully though, Doc Adam and other embattled professionals who are merely doing their jobs or helping other people would be able to overcome the challenges they currently face.
No wonder why brain drain is real in the Philippines
For those who do not know, there is this so-called brain drain or human capital flight. Brain drain indicates substantial migration of professionals due to turmoil from their native land, or due to the existence of favorable opportunities in other countries, or due to a desire to seek a higher standard of living abroad. As we can see, there are many Filipino professionals — doctors, nurses, engineers, scientists, and more — who work abroad for several years, some decades, due to the aforementioned factors. Besides the reasons stated, Filipinos can add one more factor: disrespect experienced by professionals. For this reason, it does not come as a surprise that experts and professionals consider leaving the country. Ultimately, the Philippines is affected severely as it lacks the right people to fix its problems and improve the living conditions of the ordinary Filipino. Thus, it is important for us to change the way we treat experts such as increasing support for them and listening to them with an open mind. Even though disagreements are imminent, it is necessary for society to do so in a way that would promote healthy discourse and constructive discussions.
