Creating The Philippine Heart Center For Asia.

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Presidential Decree No. 673

Creation of the Philippine Heart Center for Asia
- A trust is created under the name "Philippine Heart Center for Asia" for the benefit of the Filipino people. (Section 1)
- The Center shall be administered by a Board of Trustees composed of 7 members appointed by the President of the Philippines. (Section 1)
- The Director of the Center shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees and shall act as the chief executive officer. (Section 1)

Government Contributions and Property
- The government shall provide the necessary land, building, equipment, and facilities to the Center, and pay for the properties under a deferred payment arrangement within 5 years at a preferred interest rate. (Section 2)
- The property of the Center shall consist of real, personal, mixed, and other types of property given, donated, acquired, transferred, or conveyed to the Center by the government, foreign governments, trusts, foundations, corporations, or persons. (Section 3)

Purposes and Objectives
- To construct, establish, operate, and maintain a heart center for public welfare, including a specialized heart hospital. (Section 4.1)
- To promote and engage in scientific research on the prevention of cardio-vascular diseases and the care and treatment of heart patients, including sponsoring relevant conferences and seminars. (Section 4.2)
- To stimulate and underwrite research on the biological, demographic, social, economic, eugenic, physiological aspects of cardio-vascular disorders and their control, and publish the findings. (Section 4.3)
- To facilitate the exchange of ideas and information on the prevention, treatment, and control of heart diseases, and enhance public awareness on heart health and physical fitness. (Section 4.4)
- To encourage and undertake the training of medical personnel on the practical and scientific conduct of cardiac services. (Section 4.5)
- To assist universities, hospitals, and research institutions in their studies of cardio-vascular anomalies and encourage advanced training in related fields. (Section 4.6)
- To encourage the formation of other organizations at various levels and coordinate their efforts for a more effective programmatic approach. (Section 4.7)
- To extend medical and cardiological services to the general public, especially the poor and less fortunate, without regard to race, creed, color, or political belief. (Section 4.8)

Powers of the Center
- To acquire, hold, and dispose of any property. (Section 5.1)
- To contract and be contracted with. (Section 5.2)
- To mortgage, lease, sell, transfer, convey, or dispose of its properties. (Section 5.3)
- To solicit and receive donations, endowments, and funds from public and private sectors. (Section 5.4)
- To open bank accounts and disburse or invest funds as directed by the Board. (Section 5.5)
- To invite foreign heart specialists and experts for training purposes. (Section 5.6)
- To send personnel for advanced training, observation, and attendance at international conferences. (Section 5.7)
- To adopt by-laws, rules, and regulations for the administration and operation of the Center. (Section 5.8)
- To perform other necessary acts for the accomplishment of the Center's purposes and objectives. (Section 5.9)

Tax Exemptions and Assistance
- Donations, contributions, or endowments to the Center shall be exempt from income and gift taxes and deductible for computing the maximum deductible amount under the National Internal Revenue Code. (Section 6)
- The Center shall be exempt from the payment of all taxes, charges, and fees imposed by the government or any political subdivision for a period of 10 years. (Section 6)
- Income earned by foreign doctors using the Center's facilities shall be tax-exempt for 10 years from the date of issuance. (Section 6)
- The Center may call upon any government department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality for assistance. (Section 7)
- All individuals, entities, and institutions are enjoined to render full assistance and cooperation to the Center. (Section 7)

Government Contribution and Auditing
- An amount of ₱10,000,000 is appropriated as the government's contribution for the initial operations and maintenance of the Center. (Section 8)
- Thereafter, the necessary amount to support the continued operation and maintenance of the Center shall be appropriated and released, subject to the President's approval. (Section 8)
- The books and accounts of the Center shall be subject to periodic auditing by the Chairman of the Commission on Audit or their authorized representative. (Section 9)

Annual Report and Dissolution
- The Center shall render an annual report of its activities and recommendations to the President of the Philippines. (Section 10)
- If the Center is dissolved, its remaining property shall revert to the Philippine Government for disposition in accordance with law. (Section 11)

Effectivity
- This Decree shall take effect immediately. (Section 12)