DEFINING THE STATUS OF, AND AUTHORIZING THE GRANT OF TAX EXEMPTION AND OTHER PRIVILEGES TO, THE AQUACULTURE DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN THE…

WHEREAS, the Republic of the Philippines, on January 16,
1968, became a signatory to the Agreement establishing the Southeast Asian
Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC);

WHEREAS, the SEAFDEC Council, at its Sixth Meeting held at
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) on July 3-7, 1973, approved the formal establishment of
its Aquaculture Department in the Province of Iloilo, Philippines;

WHEREAS, the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department is designed to
promote research in aquaculture, especially in the production of prawns and
shrimps, undertake the corresponding training programs for fisheries experts and
technicians, and disseminate information on fisheries research and development
for SEAFDEC member-countries in Southeast Asia; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of the SEAFDEC Aquaculture
Department in the Philippines will directly and immediately stimulate the
development of the Fisheries industry in the country, as well as in neighboring
nations in Southeast Asia;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution as
Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines and pursuant to
Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, and General Order No. 1, dated
September 22, 1972, do hereby decree, order and make as part of the law of the
land the following measure:

SECTION 1. The provisions of existing laws, decrees or
ordinances to the contrary notwithstanding, the Aquaculture Department of the
Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center shall be exempt from the payment of
gift, franchise, specific, percentage, real property and all other taxes, duties
and fees provided under existing laws, decrees or ordinances. This
exemption shall extend to goods imported and owned by the said Aquaculture
Department and to goods brought in or imported for the personal use of foreign
personnel whose services are paid by the said Aquaculture Department: Provided,
however, That this exemption is without prejudice to the collection of customs
duties and taxes on goods or articles brought or imported into the Philippines
for the use of such foreign personnel should such goods or articles subsequently
be sold, transferred or exchanged in the Philippines to persons or entities not
entitled to exemption from said customs duties and taxes pursuant to existing
laws and regulations governing the matter.

SEC. 2. All gifts, bequests, donations and contributions
which may be received by the said Aquaculture Department from any source
whatsoever shall be exempt from the payment of taxes imposed under the National
Internal Revenue Code and all such gifts, bequests, donations and contributions
shall be considered as allowable deduction for purposes of determining the
income tax payable by the donor. All funds received by the Department shall be
receipted and disbursed in accordance with the Agreement establishing the
Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center and pertinent resolutions duly
approved by the SEAFDEC Council.

SEC. 3. Non-Filipino citizens serving on the technical and
scientific staff of the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department shall be exempted from
the payment of income tax on salaries and stipends received solely and by reason
of service rendered to the Department.

SEC. 4. Aliens who enter the Philippines to perform their
work for the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department shall be exempt from restrictions
imposed on immigration and other pertinent laws with respect to quota of
immigrants and duration of stay in the Philippines, as may be necessary for the
operation of the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department, so long as they fall under the
following status:

1. officials;
2. instructors and researchers;
3. trainees;
4. spouses, children or relatives who are dependent on the forming part of the
   household of, those in (1) and (2).

SEC. 5. Effectivity — This Decree shall take effect
immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 13th day of September, in the year of Our
Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-three.

			(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS President Republic of the Philippines
	By the President:
	(Sgd.) ROBERTO V. REYES
		Assistant Executive Secretary