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LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this module, you are expected to:
1. Explain the purpose of the Bases Conversion and Development Act;
2. Identify the different economic and freeport zones within the scope of the act; and
3. Identify the fiscal incentives provided by the law.
Pre-Activity
Given the Philippine map below, put a star (⋆) on the location of the Freeport Zones and
Economic Zones related to BCDA.
BASES CONVERSION AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1992
Republic Act No. 7227, as amended by Republic Act No. 9400, is enacted to accelerate the sound
and balanced conversion into alternative productive uses of the Clark and Subic military
reservations and their extension, to raise funds by the sale of portions of Metro Manila military
camps, and to apply said funds for the development and conversion to productive civilian use of
the lands covered under the 1947 Military Bases Agreement between the Philippines and the
United States of America. Consequently, it aims to enhance the benefits to be derived from said
properties in order to promote the economic and social development of Central Luzon in
particular and the country in general.
BASES CONVERSION AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Mandated to help strengthen the Armed Forces while building great cities, BCDA remains as a
major force in creating economic opportunities in the country—through its establishment of
integrated developments, dynamic business centers and vibrant communities.
BCDA engages in public-private partnerships to push forward vital public infrastructure such as
tollways, airports, seaports, and also major real estate developments. It is one of the key agencies
driving “Build Build Build,” the national government’s most ambitious infrastructure plan in
Philippine history. This infrastructure plan hopes to provide bold solutions that will reduce
congestion, create jobs and alleviate costs in the Philippines.
Purpose
The Conversion Authority shall have the following purposes:
a. To own, hold and/or administer the military reservations of John Hay Station, Wallace
Air Station, O’Donnell Transmitter Station, San Miguel Naval Communication Station,
Mt. Sta. Rita Station (Hermosa, Bataan) and those portions of Metro Manila, military
camps which may be transferred to it by the President;
b. To adopt, prepare and implement a comprehensive and detailed development plan
embodying a list of projects including but not limited to those provided in the Legislative-
Executive Bases Council (LEBC) framework plan for the sound and balanced conversion
of the Clark and Subic military reservations and their extensions consistent with
ecological and environmental standards, in other productive uses to promote the
economic and social development of Central Luzon in particular and the country in
general;
c. To encourage the active participation of the private sector in transforming the Clark and
Subic military reservations and their extensions into other productive uses;
d. To serve as the holding company of subsidiary companies created under the act;
e. To manage and operate through private sector companies developmental projects outside
the jurisdiction of subsidiary companies and Special Economic Zones declared by
presidential proclamations and established under this Act;
f. To establish a mechanism in coordination with the appropriate local government units to
effect meaningful consultation regarding the plans, programs and projects within the
regions where such plans, programs and/or project development are part of the
conversion of the Clark and Subic military reservations and their extensions and the
surrounding communities as envisioned in this Act; and
g. To plan, program and undertake the adjustment, relocation, or resettlement of population
within the Clark and Subic military reservations and their extensions as may be deemed
necessary and beneficial by the Conversion Authority, in coordination with the
appropriate government agencies and local government units.
SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is the operating and implementing arm of the
Government of the Philippines for the development of the 262 square mile (670 square kilometer)
area of Subic Bay Freeport (SBF) into a self-sustaining tourism, industrial, commercial, financial,
and investment center to generate employment opportunities. This area was the former US Naval
facility in Subic Bay.
Functions
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, otherwise known as the Subic Authority, shall have the
following powers and function:
a. To operate, administer, manage and develop the ship repair and ship building facility,
container port, oil storage and refueling facility and Cubi Air Base within the Subic Special
Economic and Free-port Zone as a free market;
b. To accept any local or foreign investment, business or enterprise, subject only to such rules
and regulations to be promulgated by the Subic Authority in conformity with the policies
of the Conversion Authority without prejudice to the nationalization requirements
provided for in the Constitution;
c. To undertake and regulate the establishment, operation and maintenance of utilities, other
services and infrastructure in the Subic Special Economic Zone including shipping
shipping and related business, stevedoring and port terminal services or concessions,
incidental thereto and airport operations in coordination with the Civil Aeronautics
Board, and to fix just and reasonable rates, fares charges and other prices therefor;
d. To construct, acquire, own lease, operate and maintain on its own or through contract,
franchise, license permits bulk purchase from the private sector and build-operate transfer
scheme or joint-venture the required utilities and infrastructure in coordination with local
government units and appropriate government agencies concerned and in conformity
with existing applicable laws therefor;
e. To adopt, alter and use a corporate seal; to contract, lease, sell, dispose, acquire and own
properties; to sue and be sued in order to carry out its duties and functions and to carry
exercise the power of eminent domain for public use and public purpose;
f. Within the limitation provided by law, to raise and/or borrow the necessary funds from
local and international financial institutions and to issue bonds, promissory notes and
other securities for that purpose and to secure the same by guarantee, pledge, mortgage
deed of trust, or assignment of its properties held by the Subic Authority for the purpose
of financing its projects and programs within the applicable framework and limitation;
g. To operate directly or indirectly or license tourism related activities subject to priorities
and standards set by the Subic Authority including games and amusements, except horse
racing, dog racing and casino gambling which shall continue to be licensed by the
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) upon recommendation of
the Conversion Authority; to maintain and preserve the forested areas as a national park;
h. To authorize the establishment of appropriate educational and medical institutions;
i. To protect, maintain and develop the virgin forests within the baselands, which will be
proclaimed as a national park and subject to a permanent total log ban, and for this
purpose, the rules and regulations of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources and other government agencies directly involved in the above functions shall
be implemented by the Subic Authority;
j. To adopt and implement measures and standards for environmental pollution control of
all areas within its territory, including but not limited to all bodies of water and to enforce
the same. For which purpose the Subic Authority shall create an Ecology Center; and
k. To exercise such powers as may be essential, necessary or incidental to the powers granted
to it hereunder as well as to carry out the policies and objectives of the Act.
SUBIC SPECIAL ECONOMIC AND FREEPORT ZONE
This is a separate customs territory consisting of the City of Olongapo and the municipality of
Subic, Province of Zambales, the lands occupied by the Subic Naval Base and its contiguous
extensions as embraced, covered and defined by the 1947 Philippine-U.S. Military Base
Agreement as amended and within the territorial jurisdiction of Morong and Hermosa, Province
of Bataan, the metes and bounds which shall be delineated in a proclamation to be issued by the
President of the Philippines.
REGISTRATION
The SBMA shall establish an office to register all business enterprises or concerns applying to be
eligible enterprises, as well as natural persons applying to be SBF Residents.
Eligibility
Application for SBF registration shall be open to nationals and business enterprises of any country
in any area of economic activity, except only as is specifically limited by the Constitution of the
Philippines. An eligible enterprise shall be a constituted business enterprise organized or
domiciled in the Philippines or any foreign country. The enterprise must name a representative
or agent who is a legal resident of the SBF. If affiliated with an existing enterprise in the
Philippines outside of the SBF, the eligible enterprise must establish a separate business
organization to conduct business exclusively within the SBF which shall be a separate taxable
entity.
Specifically, the following may acquire Certificates of Registration and/or Certificate of
Residency:
1. Existing Enterprises and Residents
2. New Industrial, Commercial and Service Enterprises
3. Banks and Affiliates
4. New SBF Filipino Residents
5. Foreign Nationals Residing Outside the SBF
Certificates
Certificate of Registration
This refers to the certificate issued evidencing registration of the business entity as an enterprise
in the zone.
Certificate of Residency
This refers to the certificate issued evidencing registration of an individual as a resident of the
zone.
Validity
All certificates issued by the SBMA shall be valid for a period of one (1) year from issuance and
shall be deemed automatically renewed every year upon payment of the prescribed fees at least
ten (10) days prior to the expiration of the said one (1) year period for the particular year involved,
and (ii) for as long as the eligible enterprise or Resident remains qualified to continue its business
operations or reside within the SBF under similar terms and conditions for which the original
certificate(s) was/were issued.
TAXATION REGIME
Following are the relevant taxation rules for SBF enterprises.
Tax Exemption
Eligible enterprises shall be exempted from all national and local taxes, including but not limited
to the following:
a. Customs and import duties and national internal revenue taxes, such as VAT, excise and
ad valorem taxes on foreign articles;
b. Internal revenue taxes, such as VAT, ad valorem and excise taxes on their sales of goods
and services for which they are directly liable;
c. Income tax on all income from sources within the SBF and foreign countries, Export
Processing Zones, Bonded Warehouses and other Special Economic Zones within the
Philippines, as well as all other areas that may now or hereafter be considered to be
outside the Customs Territory, whether or not payment of such income is actually
received; made or collected within such areas; provided, that eligible enterprises shall, as
withholding agents for the National Government, withhold tax on compensation and
income payments to persons or individuals subject to expanded withholding tax; and
d. Franchise, common carrier or value added taxes and other percentage taxes on public and
service utilities and enterprises within the SBF.
5% Gross Income Tax
In lieu of paying taxes, all eligible enterprises shall pay a final tax of five (5%) percent of gross
income earned.
Allocation
The 5% tax shall be allocated as follows:
To the National Government 3%
To the Local Government Units affected by the declaration of the Zone, to be
1%
distributed in the proportion to be determined by the Bureau of Internal Revenue
To the Special Development Fund to be utilized for the development of
municipalities outside the City of Olongapo and the Municipality of Subic and 1%
other municipalities contiguous to the base area
Tax Base
Gross Income Earned refers to gross sales or gross revenues derived from any business activity,
net of returns, discounts and allowances, less costs of sales, cost of production or direct costs of
services (depending on the nature of business) but before any deduction for administrative
expenses and incidental losses during a given taxable period.
In arriving at the base for which the five (5%) percent final tax, the following deductions shall be
allowable/unallowable:
Expense Goods Service Financial
Direct salaries, wages or labor expense ✓ ✓ ✘
Cost of supplies/goods in trade/production ✓ ✓ -
Depreciation, lease payments or other
✓ ✓ ✘
expenditures on buildings and equipment
Financing charges associated with fixed assets ✓ ✓ ✘
Rent and utility charges associated with
buildings and equipment, warehousing or ✓ ✓ -
handling of goods
Administrative Salaries ✘ ✘ ✘
Corporate Management ✘ ✘ ✘
Marketing and sales salaries ✘ ✘ ✘
Financial charges on working capital ✘ ✘ ✘
Loss/gain on foreign exchange translation ✘ ✘ ✘
Loss/gain on disposal of assets ✘ ✘ ✘
Advertising ✘ ✘ ✘
Insurance ✘ ✘ ✘
Miscellaneous supplies and expenses ✘ ✘ ✘
Entertainment expense ✘ ✘ ✘
Cost of Securities - - ✘
Illustration 2.1 GROSS INCOME TAX
Free Love Company is a registered eligible enterprise. Following are its financial figures for the
year.
Gross Revenues 11,700,000
Direct Salaries 2,900,000
Supplies used in production/rendering services 1,800,000
Depreciation on equipment used 600,000
Lease Payments on building occupied 1,200,000
Advertising costs 1,100,000
Other Expenses 2,300,000
Scenario 1: It is a manufacturing/service enterprise.
Gross Revenues 11,700,000
Direct Salaries 2,900,000
Supplies used in production/rendering services 1,800,000
Depreciation on equipment used 600,000
Lease Payments on building occupied 1,200,000
Gross Income 5,200,000
Tax Rate 5%
Income Tax Due 260,000
Scenario 2: It is a financial enterprise.
Gross Income 11,700,000
Tax Rate 5%
Income Tax Due 585,000
Pre-Dominance Test
Should an eligible enterprise’s income from sources within the Custom Territory exceed Thirty
Percent (30%) of its total income from all sources, then it shall be subject to the income tax laws
of the Customs Territory, provided, that in any case, customs duties and taxes must be paid with
the respect to income from sales of articles to the Customs Territory.
Illustration 2.2 PRE-DOMINANCE TEST
Anxiety Inc. is a registered eligible trading enterprise. Following are its financial figures for the
year.
Within SBF Within CT
Gross Sales 10,400,000 5,600,000
Cost of Sales 4,150,000 2,000,000
Gross Income 6,250,000 3,600,000
Deductible Expenses 3,400,000 1,400,000
Net Income 2,850,000 2,200,000
The entity shall not be entitled to avail the 5% gross income tax because it exceeded the 30%
limit.
Gross Sales within Customs Territory 5,600,000
Divide by: Total Gross Sales 16,000,000
Rate 35%
As such, it shall be fully taxed at the 30% regular corporate income tax rate.
Total Net Income 5,050,000
Tax Rate 30%
Income Tax Due 1,515,000
Separate Customs Territory
The zone shall be considered as an area outside the taxable territory of the Philippines. As such,
in general, all articles may be imported by eligible enterprises into the SBF free of customs and
import duties and national internal revenue taxes, except those articles prohibited by the SBMA
and those absolutely prohibited by law. Articles may be imported by SBF Residents free of
customs and import duties and national internal revenue taxes, except those articles prohibited
by the SBMA and those absolutely prohibited by law; provided, that such articles are limited only
for personal or household use or consumption within the SBF.
Foreign articles removed, withdrawn or otherwise disposed of from the SBF into the Customs
Territory, shall be subject to the payment of customs duties and internal revenue taxes as ordinary
importations in accordance with the provisions of Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as
amended, and the National Internal Revenue Code and other applicable laws.
Articles which are admitted to the SBF from Customs Territory under proper permit shall be
considered exported for purposes of the laws and regulations of the Philippines, and shall be
considered to be zero-rated and thereby become eligible for drawback, relief from duties and
taxes, and any other tax or duty benefit conferred by reason of exportation; provided, that articles
which are returned to the Customs Territory from the SBF shall be considered imported for the
purposes of the laws and regulations of the Philippines.
NON-FISCAL INCENTIVES
Registered entities may avail of the following non-fiscal incentives.
Right to Allow No Visa Entry to Certain Foreign Nationals
The SBMA may allow the entry of foreign nationals, particularly Hong Kong Chinese with British
Passports or Certificates of Identity and Taiwanese nationals with Republic of China Passports,
with the exception of foreign nationals barred from entering the Philippines, into the SBF without
visas for a maximum period of fourteen (14) days, unless extended by the National Government;
provided,
a. such entry will be limited to tourism and business purposes only;
b. should the foreign national desire to extend his/her visit or to enter the Customs
Territory, he/she must secure the necessary authorization or visa from the Bureau of
Immigration or the Department of Foreign Affairs, as the case may be.
Temporary Work and Residency Visas
The SBMA is authorized to issue temporary work and residency visas to foreign nationals. Upon
application by an eligible enterprise, the SBMA may issue work visas which are valid for and
renewable every two (2) years to foreign nationals who possess executive or highly technical skills
which no Filipino citizen within the SBF possesses, as certified by the Department of Labor and
Employment.
Temporary Residency Visas
Temporary residency visas may be issued by the SBMA to any foreign national to whom a work
visa has been issued and to his or her spouse and dependent children under 21 years of age. The
temporary residency visas of the foreign national, spouse, and children are valid for residence
either inside the SBF or the Customs Territory during the period of validity of the work visa.
Permanent Residency Visas for Investors
The SBMA may issue a permanent residency visa within the SBF to any investor who has made
and continues to maintain an investment of not less than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars
(US$250,000.00) within the SBF. This privilege may extend to the investor’s spouse and dependent
children under 21 years of age.
Permanent Residency Visa for Retirees
The SBMA may issue permanent residency visas to any foreign national who is a retired person
and his or her spouse and dependent children under 21 years of age for residence in the SBF.
A “retired person” is a person
a. over 60 years of age who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the SBMA that he or she
is of good moral character;
b. has not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude;
c. no longer employed or self-employed; and
d. who receives a pension or passive income that is payable in the SBF and exceeds fifty
thousand dollars (US$50,000.00) per annum.
OTHER ZONES UNDER RA9400
The following special economic and freeport zones are added to the law under the amending
RA9400.
Zone Incentive
Clark Special Economic Zone, Clark Tax and duty-free importation,
Freeport Zone, Poro Point Freeport 5% Gross Income Tax in lieu of all national and local
Zone taxes
Morong Special Economic Zone 5% Gross Income Tax in lieu of all national and local
taxes, except real property tax on lands
John Hay Special Economic Zone same tax and duty incentives under RA7916
Self-Check!
Basing on your readings, answer the following questions.
1. What is the purpose of the Bases Conversion and Development Act?
2. What are different government bodies formed under the act?
3. Who are the eligible enterprises and how can they register as such?
4. The tax exemption of eligible enterprises extends to what type of taxes?
5. Explain the difference of the 5% gross income tax from BCDA to that of SEZA.
6. What are the non-fiscal incentives provided by the act?
Exercise 2.1 TRUE OR FALSE
Determine whether the following statements are true or false.
1. The certificates issued by BCDA is only effective for a year.
2. Entry of raw materials from foreign countries to be used in the production activities of
an eligible enterprise are subject to import duties.
3. The SBF enterprise is taxable at the 30% income tax rate if at least 50% of its total income
is earned within the customs territory.
4. RA 7227 was amended by RA 9400.
5. RA 9400 included special economic and freeport zones in the provinces of La Union,
Bataan, Pampanga and Benguet.
Exercise 1.2 IDENTIFICATION
Identify the terminologies best described by the following statements.
1. Document issued by BCDA evidencing residency of an enterprise or individual in the
separate customs territory
2. The holding company of all subsidiaries created under the act
3. Any goods, wares, merchandise which is the subject of importation or exportation
4. Any individual who is registered and authorized by SBMA to establish and maintain a
personal residence in the zone
5. Document issued by BCDA evidencing registration of a business entity as an enterprise
in the separate customs territory
Exercise 1.3 MULTIPLE CHOICE
Choose the best answer from the choices provided.
1. Which of the following have the same incentives under RA 7916?
a. Poro Freeport Zone
b. Morong Special Economic Zone
c. Clark Freeport Zone
d. John Hay Special Economic Zone
2. If the income earned from the customs territory exceeds 30% of the total income earned,
what is the applicable tax on the enterprise?
a. 5% tax on total gross income
b. 5% tax on gross income earned in the zone, 30% tax on net income earned in customs
territory
c. 5% tax on gross income earned in the zone, 30% tax on gross income earned in
customs territory
d. 30% tax on total net income
3. The tax exemption of a registered enterprise does not extend to?
a. Value-added tax
b. Capital gains tax
c. Withholding tax on compensation
d. Excise taxes
4. Which of the following can register under BCDA?
a. Banks and affiliates
b. New enterprise and residents
c. Existing enterprise and residents
d. All of the above
5. Which is not a non-fiscal incentive provided by the SEZA Law?
a. Permanent Work Visas
b. Permanent Residency Visas
c. Temporary Residency Visas
d. Temporary Work Visas
Problem 2.1 GROSS INCOME TAX
Blaze Company is a BCDA-registered enterprise. Its financial figures for the year are as follows:
Gross Revenues 13,800,000
Direct Materials 1,200,000
Direct Labor 3,400,000
Depreciation of building and equipment 2,000,000
Rental Payments for land use 600,000
Administrative and advertising expenses 1,800,000
Compute the total income tax liability for the year assuming the enterprise is a:
a. Service enterprise
b. Financial enterprise
Problem 2.2 PRE-DOMINANCE TEST
A BCDA-registered trading enterprise obtained the following during the year:
Within the Zone Outside the Zone
Gross Sales 15,300,000 7,200,000
Cost of Sales 5,800,000 2,700,000
Operating Expenses 2,800,000 1,300,000
Compute the income tax due for the year.
Problem 2.3 COMPREHENSIVE
Yellow Pastures Corp. is a pioneer PEZA enterprise which started its commercial operation in
2013. Following is its financial performance for 2020.
2020 2021
Within Zone Outside Zone Within Zone Outside Zone
Gross Sales 11,664,000 4,536,000 12,462,000 6,138,000
Cost of Sales 6,065,000 2,358,000 6,604,000 3,315,000
Operating Expenses 2,798,000 1,087,000 2,939,000 1,402,000
Compute its total income tax liability for each year.
