Rules & Regulations

DOST Regulations No. 1
(4th Revision – December 3, 1982)

Rules and Regulations to Implement Section 24 of Republic Act No. 2067, as amended by the Republic Act No. 3589

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 9 of Republic Act No. 2067 (hereinafter referred to as the “Science Act of 1958”), as amended by Republic Act No. 3589, Section 27 of Executive Order No. 784 dated March 17, 1982, the following rules and regulations are hereby promulgated to implement  Section 24 of the “ Science Act of  1958”.

ARTICLE I
Definition of Terms

SEC. 1. DEFINITIONS – for the purposes of these rules and unless otherwise indicated, the terms herein enumerated shall have the following meanings:

a.  DOST – Department of Science and Technology (formerly National Science and Technology Authority)

b.  DOST- Certified Science Foundation – a private science foundation that complies with the requirements set forth in Sec. 6, Article III of these rules and duly certified by DOST as such.

c.  Basic /Fundamental Research – research directed primarily towards developing new or fuller scientific knowledge or understanding of the subject rather than the practical application thereof.

1) Free fundamental research – that which results from intellectual curiosity aimed at    proving the unknown which initially, may not have specific applicational objectives

2) Oriental fundamental research – that which seeks new knowledge required for application purposes but which may of course contribute to general scientific advancement in the process.

d. Applied research – research directed towards practical application of knowledge.

e. Development – technical activity on non-routine problems encountered in translating research findings or other scientific knowledge into products or processes including their dissemination.
        
f. Research and development – the aggregate of basic and applied research and development.

g. Economic evaluation – process of appraising, estimating or determining the economic value of a given process or product with a view to its commercial exploitation.

h. Development of scientific and technological manpower – identification, development and utilization of scientific and technological manpower.

i. Scientific and technological linkages and services – dissemination, documentation, conferences and all other activities intended to promote national and international linkages for scientific and technological advancement.

j. Unrestricted donations – funds contributed for no specific projects/purposes and the use thereof is left to the discretion of the recipient foundation.

k. Family foundation – one established and/or supported mainly by relatives within the 4th civil degree of consanguinity or affinity.

ARTICLE II
Application for Certification

SEC. 2. WHO MAY APPLY – In order to avail of the benefits of Section 24 of the Science Act of 1958, as amended, the following may apply for certification:

a.    Private foundations engaged in, and whose funds are dedicated to scientific pursuits.

b.    Private  individuals, firms and educational institutions undertaking specific research and development projects (Not applicable).

SEC. 3. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR FOUNDATIONS - The application for certification of a private foundation, which shall be under oath and filed with the DOST in two (2) copies shall be accompanied by:

a.  A certified true copy of the applicant’s:

(1) Articles of incorporation

(2)By-laws, and

(3)Certificate of registration of said articles of incorporation and by-laws as well as their   amendments issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

b. Science and Technology program with proposed budget for the period to be covered by the certification signed by the Executive Director or equivalent officer of the foundation, together with a description of the specific research and development project, whenever required,

c. A list of officers and working staff other than the trustees, and

d. A certification by the Treasurer of the foundation that it has an initial capital of at least 50,000.00php.

SEC. 4. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC PROJECTS –The application for the certification of specific research and development projects undertaken by private individuals, firms and educational institutions, or by foundations which do not qualify for certification under Sec. 6, Article III, shall be under oath and, in each case, filed with the DOST in three (3) copies. It shall be accompanied by a project study in the form prescribed by the NSTA and subsequently approved by the DOST. (Not applicable).

SEC. 5. PROCESSING OF APPLICATION – Application under these rules shall be processed by the Science Foundations Staff (Office of the Secretary), DOST. The staff may conduct an investigation of the applicant foundation. It may request the views and recommendation of any government official or private individuals and may require the applicant or its representative to appear before it to clarify or substantiate the statements in the application.

ARTICLE III
Issuance of Certification for Private Foundations

    
SEC. 6. CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH CERTIFICATION ISSUED

a.  Conditions to be stated in the Articles of Incorporation

(1) It is a non-stock and non-profit and organized and operated in the public interest and no portion of its funds shall inure to the benefit of private individuals or juridical entities whether domestic or foreign;

 A foundation shall be considered to be organized and operated in the public interest if it is essentially engaged in the activities specified in Sec. 6 a (2) of these rules and, if it undertakes research (i) the results of its researches (including patents, copyrights, process or formulae resulting from such researches) are made available to the public on a non-discriminatory basis, unless the granting of the exclusive right is the only practicable manner in which patent, copyright, process or formula can be utilized to benefit the public; or (ii) its researches are
performed for the Republic of the Philippines or any of its agencies or instrumentalities or political subdivision; or (iii) its researches are directed toward benefiting the public;

(2) That at least sixty(60%) percent of its gross income, as defined in the Revised Internal Revenue Code, and unrestricted donations, shall be devoted to undertaking, directly financing, or assisting pure, fundamental, or basic and applied scientific and technological research and development activities and/or economic evaluation, improvement of laboratory and library facilities, development of scientific and technological manpower including the establishment of professorial chairs, and scientific and technological linkages and services, in any or all of the following fields:

(a) Industry
(b) Agriculture and Natural Resources
(c) Health Science
(d) Biological and Physical Sciences
(e) Energy
(f) Food and Nutrition
(g) Environment
(h) Engineering
(i) Social Science and the Humanities

Not more than thirty (30%) percent of the gross income and not more than ten (10%) percent of the unrestricted donations to the foundation shall be devoted to general and administrative expenses;

(3) That a) upon its dissolution as a DOST-certified foundation, its remaining assets shall be disposed of and turned over to any DOST-certified foundation of its choice or to the Republic of the Philippines or any of its agencies or instrumentalities or political subdivisions; and b) in case of the failure on the part of the foundation to secure renewal of its certification as a DOST-certified foundation, or failure to comply with the requirements as prescribed in Sec. 9 and 10, Article IV and Sec. 11, Article V of these regulations, the foundation shall be charged an amount equivalent to the taxes that should have been paid without the benefit of DOST certification from the date of last certification, the amount to be determined jointly by DOST and the BIR;

(4) That any management contract, trust agreement or any other contract to be entered into by the foundation for the management of any of its activities shall be submitted to the DOST for information;

(5) That all donations received by the foundation from another foundation certified under these rules shall be subject to approval by the DOST;

(6) That a representative of the DOST shall sit with the Board of Directors of the foundation (Not applicable);

(7) That the foundation shall allow the DOST to inspect its investment portfolio for verification purposes; and

(8) That any proposed amendment to it or to its by-laws shall be subject to approval by the DOST prior to registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

b. Conditions to be stated in the By-Laws:

(1)  That the foundation shall furnish the DOST a certified true copy of the minutes of and resolutions adopted in all meetings of the Board of Directors, committees or members of the foundation within thirty (30) days after such minutes have been approved; and

(2)  That in the Board of Trustees or Directors, in case it is a family foundation, the members of the family shall always be in the minority and the Treasurer shall not be an immediate member of the family.

c. R & D Program
    
The foundation has a program of research and development approved by the DOST consistent with its purposes as stated in its articles of incorporation and that the actual operations justify its continuing existence as a viable and actual science foundation rather than as a mere conduit for receiving tax-free contribution or funds raised by occasional fund drives. Results of its researches shall be copyrighted or patented in the name of the foundation.

SEC. 7. ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATION - if the application is in order, the DOST Secretary, after taking into consideration the findings and recommendation of the Undersecretary, shall issue a certification that the applicant is a DOST-certified Science Foundation as defined in these rules and regulations.

ARTICLE IV
Life of Certification for Private Foundations

SEC. 8. LIFE OF CERTIFICATION – The certification referred to in Sec. 7, Article III issued under these rules shall be effective not earlier than the date of filing of the application and shall be in force for a period of not longer than five (5) years unless sooner revoked.

SEC. 9. ANNUAL REPORTS – During the period of certification, the foundation shall submit annually to the DOST within ninety (90) days after the end of its fiscal year in the forms prescribed for the purpose the following:

a. Status reports on its projects and other related activities;

b. A statement of sources and application of funds; and

c. Comparative financial statements from the date of last accreditation, together with all supporting schedules.

       The above-stated financial statements shall be certified by an independent Certified Public Accountant.

SEC. 10. RENEWAL OF CERTIFICATION – The certification shall be renewed by the DOST Secretary for the same period of time upon application duly filed in three (3) copies not later than ninety (90) days after its expiration, provided that the application is submitted with the following requirements:

a. Detailed report of research and/or development activities of the foundation during the period covered by the expired certification; and program of research and/or development activities for the period to be covered by the application for renewal; and

b. A certified true copy of the amended articles of incorporation and by-laws, if any, or a sworn statement that there have been no such amendments.

ARTICLE V
Revocation of Certification for Private Foundation

SEC. 11. GROUNDS FOR REVOCATION/SUSPENSION – The certification referred to in Sec. 7, Article III shall be revoked or suspended by the DOST Secretary on any of the following grounds:

a. Failure to commerce the operation within two (2) years from the date of certification;

b. Deviation from the scientific and/or technological purposes or objectives defined in the articles of incorporation and more specifically stated in its project study submitted to the DOST when it applied for certification without the written permission of the DOST;

c. Channeling of the properties of certified foundations to the purpose or purposes different from that mentioned in the articles of incorporation;

d. Refusal to allow inspection, review and audit by the DOST;

e Any violation of the rules and/or the terms and conditions of the certification; or

f. Failure to comply with other reasonable requirements of the DOST.

ARTICLE VI
Certification for Specific Research and Development Projects

SEC. 12. ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATION – The DOST Secretary may certify specific research and development projects undertaken by private individuals, firms and educational institutions, or foundations which do not qualify for certification under the provision of Sec. 6, Article III of these rules upon submission of a project study following DOST project proposal forms and its subsequent approval by the DOST.

SEC. 13. SEPARATE ACCOUNTING OF PROJECT –Separate books of accounts shall be kept indicating the amounts contributed to the certified project and the purpose or purposes for which they were used, which shall be subject to inspection by the DOST.

SEC. 14. GROUNDS FOR REVOCATION/SUSPENSION – The certification referred to in Sec. 12 shall be revoked or suspended by the DOST Secretary on any of the following grounds:

a. Failure to commence the project operation within six (6) months from the date of certification;

b. Deviation from the purposes or objectives of the certified project without the written permission of the DOST;

c. Channeling of properties of the certified project to the purpose or purposes different from its objectives;

d. Refusal to allow inspection, review and audit by the DOST;

e. Any violation of these rules and/or the terms and conditions of the certification; or

f. Failure to comply with other reasonable requirements of the DOST.

ARTICLE VII
Tax – Exemption

SEC. 15. TAX- EXEMPTION OF CONTRIBUTION  - all funds contributed to the support and maintenance of private foundation certified under these rules and their projects as well as specific research and development projects undertaken by private individuals, firms or institutions shall be tax- exempt and deductible in their entirety from the income tax return of the donors upon certification issued by the DOST. (*Revised. Please see attached tax incentives list and BIR Memorandum dated August 30, 1988 attached).

SEC. 16. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS – The application for the certificate of tax-exemption of donations shall be accompanied by the Deed of Donation and Acceptance duly notarized. In addition thereto, the following shall also be submitted:

a. When the amount donated is in check, a certification by the Treasurer of the donee foundation that said check has been duly cashed and/or credited to the account of the foundation;

b. When the donation consists of shares of stocks, the original and a photo copy of the stock certificate in the name of the donee foundation;

c. When the donation consists of land, water and aerial transport system, photo copy of the certificate of ownership or the certificate or registry, as the case may be, in the name of the donee foundation;

d. When the donation consists of registered land or any legal properties, the original and a photo copy of transfer certificate of title (TCT) in the name of the donee foundation; if unregistered land, a certificate of the Register of Deeds concerned that the deed of donation has been duly recorded in the register book in the name of the donee foundation, a certified true copy of the latest tax declaration of the donated property, and a declaration of the fair market value thereof by the donor.

e. If the donation involves cultural properties, such as artifacts, paintings, etc., the following shall be submitted:

(1) Pictures of the donated items;
(2) A certification from the curator of the particular foundation that he has actually    received the said donations; and
(3) A valuation by the Board of Curators of the National Museum.

f. When the donor is a corporation or partnership and the amount involved is 5,000.00php and above, it is required that a board resolution or a certification by the managing partner authorizing such donation be submitted; and

g. Such other requirements as may be prescribed from time to time by the DOST.

SEC. 17.  VALUATION OF DONATION

a.    Donation/gifts made in kind shall be determined at its fair market as of the date such donations or gifts are made. Cash donation or gift shall be determined solely on the cash receipts and disbursement method of accounting, provided, however, that donation of services shall not be allowed;

b.    If the donation consists of real property, the value thereof shall be based on the assessor’s most recent valuation;

c.    If the donation consists of personal property, the value shall be based on the acquisition cost thereof; but if said personal property had already been used at the time of donation, the depreciated or book value thereof; and

d.    If the donation comprises of cultural properties, it is required that the donation be valuated by the Board of Curators of the National Museum. Prior to the issuance of the certificate of tax-exemption, a visit to the foundation is made by the DOST for an inventory of the items donated.

SEC. 18. INCOME TAX EXEMPTION – All income of whatever kind and character which the foundation may derive from any of its properties, real or personal, or from its investments shall also be tax-exempt. (*Revised. Please see attached Sheet).

ARTICLE VIII
Inspection

SEC. 19. INSPECTION  - foundations certified under these rules shall be subject to inspection, review and audit of their books which should be duly registered with the BIR, facilities and projects at least once a year during office hours by the DOST.

ARTICLE IX
Fees

SEC. 20. REGISTRATION FEE -  A registration fee of 500.00php shall be collected from every foundation certified under these rules. (*Revised. Please see attached DOST Memorandum Circular No. 001)

SEC. 21. ANNUAL SERVICE FEE  - The foundation shall pay an annual and/or service fee of 0.12 of 1% of its gross receipts but not less than 500.00php. (*Revised. Please see attached DOST Memorandum Circular No.001)

ARTICLE X
Penalties

SEC. 22. PENALTIES – Any person who evades or defeats or attempts to evade or defeat, in any manner, any tax imposed by law by availing himself of the provisions of Section 24 of the Science Act of 1958 through fraud and misrepresentations or violations shall be punished by a fine of not more than four thousand (4,000.00php) pesos or imprisonment for not more than (1) year or both, in discretion of the court.

In case the violator is a corporation or association, the penalty shall be fine of not more than ten thousand (10,000.00php) pesos, without prejudice to the criminal responsibility of the member, officer or employee thereof committing such violation.

ARTICLE XI
Effectivity

SEC. 23. Effectivity – These rules and regulations and amendments thereto shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication in the Official Gazette.

RECOMMENDING APPROVAL:

(SGD) QUINTIN L. KINTANAR
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL

APPROVED:

(SGD) EMIL Q. JAVIER
DIRECTOR GENERAL

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Incentives

EXISTING TAX INCENTIVES GRANTED TO DONORS AND SCIENCE
FOUNDATIONS UNDER THE TAX REFORM ACT OF 1997 (revised IRC) or
the R.A No. 8424 and the TARIFF AND CUSTOMS CODE (TCC)
OF THE PHILIPPINES

A. DONORS

1. Exemption from payment of donor’s (gift) tax

• Section 101 (A) (3) of RA 8424

2. Full deductibility of donations made to science foundation for income tax purposes

•  Section34 (H) 2 (c) of RA 8424

B. SCIENCE FOUNDATIONS

1. Exemption from payment of corporate income tax except income from real or personal properties or from any activities conducted for profit.

•  Section 30 (E) of RA 8424

2. Exemption from payment of customs duties and VAT on the importation of scientific instruments or apparatus intended exclusively for pure and scientific research upon certification to the Department of Finance by UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines

•  Section 105 (s) of the Tariff and Customs Code
•  Chapter III Sec. 9 (16) VAT Implementing Regulation , BIR
•  Sec. 109 (q) of RA 8424 (for VAT free)

Note:

For purposes of these exemptions, a science foundation is a private non-stock and non-profit institution or organization duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), operated in the public interest and governed by trustees who received no compensation nor any type of remuneration in cash or in kind, and devoting at least sixty (60%) percent of its gross income to undertaking, directly financing or assisting S&T activities/DOST priorities.

Guidelines

1 . PROGRAM/PROJECT TITLE

a. Program - involves a group of interrelated or complementing science and teclinology projects on a multi-disciplinary approacli to meet established goals within a specific time frame.

b. Project - a set of interrelated studies or a colnponent of a program to meet pre-determined objectives within a specific time frame.

2. SECTOR - see footnote (*) Allnual Project Status Report form.

3. S & T COMPONENT - specify the program/project into (as defined by UNESCO):

a) Research & Experimental Development (R & D) - refers to any systematic andbcreative work undertaken in order to increase tlie stock of knowledge and the use of this kllowledge to devise new applications. R & D are classified into:

• • Basic or Fundamental Research - is an experimental or theoretical work undertaken to acquire new knowledge without any particular or specific application or use in view
  • Applied Research - refers to an original investigation undertaken to acquire new knowledge towards a specific practical aim or objective.
  • Experimental Development - refers to the systelnatic work, drawing on existing knowledge gained from research and/or practical experience that is directed to producing new materials, products and devices to installing new processes, system and services and to improving substantially those already produced or installed.

b) Scientific & Technological Education & Training (STET) - refers to all activities comprising specialized lion-university higher education and training leading to a university degree, post-graduate and further training and organized lifelong training for scientists and engineers.

c) Scientific & Technological Linkages & Services (STS) - are activities concerned with research & experimental development and contributing to the generation, dissemination and application of scientific and technical knowledge.

d) Non-S&T Activities - are those wliicli do not fall in any of the above S & T components.

4. PROGRAM/PROJECT COST FOR THE YEAR - refers to the actual budget expended for the current year for the implemeiitation of the progratnlproject broken down into detailed expense items.

5. DURATION (date started to eipected date of completion) - refers to the approved number of years or months the program/project is expected to be completed.

6. OBJECTIVES/SIGNIFICANCE - this states the summarized results or technologies which are expected to be generated by the program/project, and a brief rationale for conducting the S & T activity, indicating the specific problems, expected benefits, and identified beneficiaries.

7. MAJOR PROJECTS/ACTIVITIES (GANTT CHART) - identifies and outlines tlie procedure to be undertaken for each progratnlproject with the corresponding period of time the activity shall be undertaken.

8. MAJOR ACCQMPLISHMENTS - refers to the summary of the accomplishments in the past five (5) years compared with the proposed S & T program submitted before the certification. It shall include the highlights of results/findings that have so far been accomplished from the conduct of the project. (For renewal)