WHEREAS, the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Resources Research (PCARR) as created by Presidential. Decree No. 48 to provide a systematic approach in the Planning, administration, and implementation of the government's agriculture and resources research program;

WHEREAS, to effectively implement the national agriculture and resources research program, it is necessary to develop research capability in terms of manpower, facilities, funding and programs;

WHEREAS, PCARR was mandated to develop and implement a fund generating strategy for supporting agriculture and resources research;

WHEREAS, to augment research funds and to accelerate technology transfer in research, PCARR has entered into agreements with funding agencies and international research Centers such USAID, the International Potato Center (CIP), Cebtro International de Meyramiento de Maiz y Trigo (CYMMIT) Centro Intemacional de Agriculture Tropical (CIAT) the lnternational Soybean Research Program (INTSOY) the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM) and other similar agencies;

WHEREAS, in order to encourage funding agencies and international research centers to enter into cooperative agreements or relationship, PCARR should provide appropriate incentives to encourage donation of research iunds and facilitate the exchange of reseachers, scientists and consultants between PCARR and these international agencies;

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

SECTION 1. The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Resources Research will plan and implement a fund-raising program to augment local research funds by entering into appropriate and beneficial agreements with international funding and research centers.

SEC. 2. Scientists and staff members of international agencies/organizations may be invited to participate in PCARR-sponsored research projects, workshops, conferences and symposia;

SEC. 3. Scientists and staff members of PCARR and agencies engaged in agricultural research are exempted from government restrictions on travel abroad and travel tax for purposes of advanced studies, observation trips to agricultural universities, institutes and research organizations with similar functions and attendance in scientific symposia and conferences;

SEC. 4. Items of equipment and supplies including but not limited to construction materials, laboratory supplies, fixtures, scientific equipment, machinery, household, office and laboratory furnishings and vehicles imported by PCARR or by representatives of international agencies/organizations in consultation with PCARR will be exempt from payment of customs duty or other tax;

SEC. 5. In the event which necessitate the residence in the Philippines of scientists or staff members of international agencies in connection with cooperative research agreement with PCARR, the appropriate offices/departments of the Philippine government shall:

1. expedite entry of said scientists and staff members to the country;
2. exempt from all forms of taxes and import dutiss and other imposts on any personal and household effects, goods and supplies for personal and family use of foreign scientists and staff members provided these are re-exported upon the termination of their stay in the country;
3. exempt these scientists and staff members from payment of Philippine income tax and other taxes accorded to expatriate scientists paid by international organizations;
4. effect the free movement of germplasm into the country as may be requiredfor the cooperative programs with intemationai agencies subject to quarantine procedures required tn avoid the introduction of pests and diseases.

SEC. 6. All acts, parts of acts, executive orders, decrees, ordinances, rules and regulations which are not consistent with this Decree are hereby repealed, amended or modified, accordingly.

SEC. 7. This decree shall take effect immediately.

Done in Manila, this 25th day ot November, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Seventy-seven.