Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1620)
The primary purpose is to grant the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) the status, prerogatives, privileges, and immunities of an international organization in the Philippines.
The IRRI is recognized as an international organization in the Philippines.
IRRI enjoys immunity from penal, civil, and administrative proceedings except where immunity is expressly waived by the Director-General. It also enjoys immunities and privileges normally accorded to international organizations of universal character.
IRRI has the right to use codes for official communication, dispatch and receive correspondence by identified couriers or bags with diplomatic courier privileges, immunity from censorship of official communications, and favorable treatment for mail, telegraphs, and other communications.
IRRI is exempt from gift, franchise, specific, percentage, real property, exchange, import, export, and all other taxes under existing laws or ordinances. Also, salaries and stipends in dollars received by non-Filipino senior staff are exempt from income tax.
IRRI is exempt from all customs duties and related levies except for storage, transport, and service charges and is exempt from import/export prohibitions and restrictions for articles intended for its official use.
They enjoy customs facilities for personal effects and baggage inspection exemption like diplomats, rights to use codes in official communications, exemption from immigration restrictions and alien registration, exemption from national service, and exemption from exchange restrictions similar to diplomatic agents on temporary missions.
They are exempt from income tax on salaries and stipends in U.S. dollars or other foreign currencies received solely due to service rendered to IRRI.
The Director-General enjoys privileges, immunities, exemptions, and facilities equivalent to those accorded to ambassadors who are heads of diplomatic missions.
The immunity can be waived by the Director-General when it would impede the normal course of justice and waiving it would not prejudice the interest of IRRI.
The government facilitates their entry, sojourn, and departure by exempting them from visa formalities, alien registration, residence and working permits, provided they are not gainfully employed in another capacity in the Philippines.
No, all gifts, bequests, donations, and contributions received by IRRI or granted by IRRI for educational or scientific purposes are exempt from taxes under Title III of the National Internal Revenue Code.
Yes, IRRI may hold funds, gold, or foreign exchange of any kind, keep books in any currency, receive and transfer funds freely, and convert currencies in its possession.