AN ACT CREATING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL EAR INSTITUTE WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES SYSTEM

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 9245 (Philippine Ear Research Institute Act of 2003)

Title and Policy
- The Act is titled the "Philippine Ear Research Institute Act of 2003" (Section 1).
- It declares the policy of the State to undertake and promote scientific research in all areas of medicine and health care, and support research in highly specialized areas (Section 2).

Establishment and Purpose of the Institute
- The Act creates the Philippine National Ear Institute within the National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines (Section 3).
- The Institute's main purpose is research activities, while training, teaching, and service activities are complementary functions (Section 4).
- The specific purposes and functions of the Institute are listed in Section 4, including:
    - Conducting epidemiological studies on deafness and balance disorders (Section 4a).
    - Initiating, conducting, monitoring, and evaluating research on curative, rehabilitative, and preventive aspects of hearing and vestibular disorders (Section 4b).
    - Disseminating research results to serve as foundations for decision-making and regulatory policies (Section 4c).
    - Providing a research environment for staff, residents, fellows, students, and others involved in studying hearing, balance, and related functions (Section 4d).
    - Promoting, coordinating, and integrating research activities between different institutions nationally and globally (Section 4e).
    - Soliciting and receiving endowments, donations, grants, and generating funds for acquiring, maintaining, operating, and upgrading facilities and equipment (Section 4f).
    - Consolidating and reinforcing existing government programs related to prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of people affected by ear diseases (Section 4g).
    - Formulating policies, programs, rules, and regulations for the effective operation of the Institute, subject to approval by the University of the Philippines Board of Regents (Section 4h).
    - Coordinating and establishing partnerships with other government agencies, private organizations, and NGOs working on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of ear diseases (Section 4i).

Administration and Staff
- The Institute shall be administered by a Director and Assistant Director, who shall be recognized specialists in Otology (Section 5).
- The Director and Assistant Director shall be appointed by the University of the Philippines Board of Regents upon the recommendation of the University President (Section 5).
- The Institute shall have a regular staff of research scientists, technicians, and administrative personnel (Section 6).

Funding and Support
- A Trust Fund called the Ear Research Fund is established to support the Institute, purchase research equipment and facilities, compensate researchers, and cover other necessary expenses (Section 7).
- The Institute may call upon any government department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality, including government-owned and -controlled corporations, particularly the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, for assistance (Section 8).
- Donations, contributions, endowments, subsidies, or financial aids to the Institute shall be exempt from income and gift taxes and shall constitute allowable deductions in full from the income of the donors (Section 9).
- The Institute's assets, equipment, and supplies imported and used exclusively for its purposes shall be exempt from all taxes, duties, fees, charges, and imposts imposed by the Republic of the Philippines (Section 9).
- The University of the Philippines Board of Regents shall include the institutionalization of the Philippine National Ear Institute in the University's programs, with initial funding charged against the current year's appropriations and other internally generated income of the University, and thereafter in the annual General Appropriations Act (Section 10).

Oversight and Reporting
- The books of accounts of the Institute shall be subject to periodic audit by the Commission on Audit (Section 11).
- The Institute shall render an annual report of its activities, accomplishments, and recommendations to the President of the Philippines and the Department of Health (Section 12).

Effectivity
- The Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation (Section 13).