CREATING THE LUNG CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES

WHEREAS, for decades, respiratory diseases have been a
priority concern, having been the leading cause of illness and death in the
Philippines, comprising more than 45% of the total annual deaths from all
causes, thus exacting a tremendous toll on human resources, which ailments are
like to increase and degenerate into serious lung diseases on account of
unabated pollution, industrialization and unchecked cigarette smoking in the
country;

WHEREAS, the more common lung diseases are, to a great
extent, preventable, and curable with early and adequate medical care,
immunization and through prompt and intensive prevention and health education
programs;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to consolidate and
reinforce existing programs, strategies and efforts at preventing, treating and
rehabilitating people affected by lung diseases, and to undertake research and
training on the cure and prevention of lung diseases, through a Lung Center
which will house and nurture the above and related activities and provide
tertiary-level care for more difficult and problematical cases;

WHEREAS, to achieve this purpose the Government intends to
provide material and financial support towards the establishment and maintenance
of a Lung Center for the welfare and benefit of the Filipino people.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President and Prime
Minister of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the
Constitution, do hereby order and decree:

SECTION 1.CREATION OF THE LUNG CENTER OF THE
PHILIPPINES. —There is hereby created a trust, under the name and style of
Lung Center of the Philippines, which, subject to the provisions of this Decree,
shall be administered, according to the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws and
Objectives of the Lung Center of the Philippines, Inc., duly registered (reg.
No. 85886) with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Republic of the
Philippines, by the Office of the President, in coordination with the Ministry
of Human Settlements and the Ministry of Health.

SEC. 2. TAX EXEMPTIONS AND PRIVILEGES.—Being a
non-profit, non-stock corporation organized primarily to help combat the high
incidence of lung and pulmonary diseases in the Philippines, all donations,
contributions, endowments and equipment and supplies to be imported by
authorized entities or persons and by the Board of Trustees of the Lung Center
of the Philippines, Inc., for the actual use and benefit of the Lung Center,
shall be exempt from income and gift taxes, the same further deductible in full
for the purpose of determining the maximum deductible amount under Section 30,
paragraph (h), of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended.

The Lung Center of the Philippines shall be exempt from the payment of taxes,
charges and fees imposed by the Government or any political subdivision or
instrumentality thereof with respect to equipment purchases made by, or for, the
Lung Center.

SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE FROM GOVERNMENT OFFICES.─The
Lung Center of the Philippines, Inc., may call upon any Ministry, Bureau,
Office, agency or instrumentality of the government, including government-owned
or controlled corporations, particularly the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes
Office, for such assistance it may need in the pursuit of its purposes and
objectives.

SEC. 4. GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY AND CONTRIBUTIONS.─The
amount of Twenty-Five Million Pesos (P25,000,000) is hereby appropriated as
contribution of the National Government for the initial operations and
maintenance of the Lung Center of the Philippines in the year 1981. Thereafter,
the amount necessary to ensure the continued operations and maintenance of the
Lung Center of the Philippines shall be duly provided for, appropriated
and released from the National Budget, subject to the approval of the President
and Prime Minister of the Republic of the Philippines. The funds therefrom shall
be administered by the Board of the Lung Center of the Philippines, Inc., in
behalf of the Lung Center.

SEC. 5. AUDITING.─The books of accounts of the Lung
Center of the Philippines shall be under the charge and safekeeping of the
Treasurer of the Lung Center of the Philippines, Inc., and of its CHAIRMAN but
such books of account shall be subject to periodic auditing by the Chairman of
the Commission on Audit, or by his duly authorized representative.

SEC. 6. ANNUAL REPORT.─The Lung Center of the
Philippines shall render to the President of the Philippines, the Minister of
Human Settlements and the Minister of Health as annual report of its activities,
accomplished and recommendations.

SEC. 7. EFFECT OF DISSOLUTION OF THE CENTER.—If for
any reason, the Lung Center of the Philippines is dissolved, its assets and
properties remaining at the time of dissolution, shall revert to the Philippine
Government for disposition in accordance with law.

SEC. 8. EFFECTIVITY.─This Decree shall take effect
immediately.

Done in Metro Manila, this 16th day of January, in the year of Our Lord,
nineteen hundred and eighty-one.

			(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS President of the Philippines
	By the President:
	(Sgd.) JUAN C. TUVERA
		Presidential Executive Assistant

Vol. 25, Vital Documents, Presidential Decree 1980-1981