OMNIBUS INVESTMENT CODE

(E.O. 226)

What is the Omnibus Investments Code of 1987 or EO 226?

The Omnibus Investments Code of 1987, as amended, integrates the basic laws on investments, clarifying and
harmonizing their provisions to encourage and guide domestic and foreign investors. It was passed through EO 226,
which took effect on 13 August 1987.

A. Composition of the Board of Investments

 shall be composed of seven (7) governors:

 The Secretary of Trade and Industry,
 Three (3) Undersecretaries of Trade and Industry to be chosen by the President
 Three (3) representatives from other government agencies and the private sector.

The Secretary of Trade and Industry shall be concurrently Chairman of the Board and the Undersecretary of the
Department of Trade and Industry for Industry and Investments shall be appointed by the President for a term of four (4)
years: Provided, That upon the expiration of his term, a governor shall serve as such until his successor shall have been
appointed and qualified: Provided, further, That no vacancy shall be filled except for the unexpired portion of any term,
and that no one may be designated to be governor of the Board in an acting capacity but all appointments shall be ad
interim or permanent.

Qualifications of Governors of the Board:

The governors of the Board shall be citizens of the Philippines, at least thirty (30) years old, of good moral character and
of recognized competence in the fields of economics, finance, banking, commerce, industry, agriculture, engineering, law,
management or labor.

Appointment of Board Personnel:

The Board shall appoint its technical staff and other personnel subject to Civil Service Law, rules and regulations.

B. DECLARATION OF POLICY
Declaration of Investment Policies to hasten the healthy growth of the country's economy in accordance with economic
nationalism's guiding principles and goals, as well as to support the planned economic viability and practical dispersal of
industries and the promotion of small and medium-sized businesses in an environment that will promote competition and
discourage monopolies, the following are declared policies of the State:

1. The State shall encourage private, Filipino and Foreign investments in industry, agriculture, forestry, mining, tourism
and other sectors of the economy which shall:

 provide significant employment opportunities relative to the amount of the capital being invested
 increase productivity of the land, minerals, forestry, aquatic and other resources of the country, and improve
utilization of the products thereof
 improve technical skills of the people employed in the enterprise; provide a fountain for the future development of
the economy
 meet the tests of international competitiveness
 accelerate development of less developed regions of the country; and
 result in increased volume and value of exports for the economy. lawphi1.net

2. The State shall ensure holistic development by safeguarding the well-being of the
 social,
 cultural and
 ecological life of the people.

3. The State shall extend to projects which will significantly contribute to the attainment of these objectives,

 fiscal incentives without which said projects may not be established in the locales,
 number or pace required for optimum national economic development.
Fiscal incentive system shall be devised to compensate for market imperfections, to reward performance contributing to
economic development, be cost-efficient and be simple to administer.

4. The State considers the private sector as the prime mover for economic growth. In this regard, private initiative is to be
encouraged, with deregulation and self-regulation of business activities to be generally adopted where dictated by urgent
social concerns.

5. The State shall principally play a supportive role, rather than a competitive one, providing the framework, the climate
and the incentives within which business activity is to take place.

6. The State recognizes that there are appropriate roles for local and foreign capital to play in the development of the
Philippine economy and that it is the responsibility of the Government to define these roles and provide the climate for
their entry and growth.

7. The State recognizes that industrial peace is an essential element of economic growth and that it is a principal
responsibility of the State to ensure that such conditions prevail.

8. Fiscal incentives shall be extended to stimulate the establishment and assist initial operations of the enterprise, and
shall terminate after a period of not more than 10 years from registration or start-up of operation unless a specific period is
otherwise stated.
 The foregoing declaration of investment policies shall apply to all investment incentive schemes.

C. Board of Investment (BOI)

-The BOI is the government agency tasked to accept and evaluate applications for registration to avail of incentives under
EO 226.

Powers and Duties of the Board:

The Board shall be responsible for the regulation and promotion of investments in the Philippines. It shall meet as often as
may be necessary generally once a week on such day as it may fix. Notice of regular and special meetings shall be given
all members of the Board. The presence of four (4) governors shall constitute a quorum and the affirmative vote of four (4)
governors in a meeting validly held shall be necessary to exercise its powers and perform its duties, which shall be as
follows:
1. ✓ Prepare annually the Investment Priorities Plan as defined in Article 26, which shall contain a listing of specific
activities that can qualify for incentives under Book I of this Code, duly supported by the studies of existing and
prospective demands for such products and services in the light of the level and structure of income, production,
trade, prices and relevant economic and technical factors of the regions as well as existing facilities;
2. ✓ Promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the intent and provisions of this
Code relevant to the Board:
3. (3) Process and approve applications for registration with the Board, imposing such terms and conditions as it
may deem necessary to promote the objectives of this Code, including refund of incentives when appropriate,
restricting availment of certain incentives not needed by the project in the determination of the Board, requiring
performance bonds and other guarantees, and payment of application, registration, publication and other
necessary fees and when warranted may limit the availment of the tax holiday incentive to the extent that the
investor's country law or treaties with the Philippines allows a credit for taxes paid in the Philippines;
4. ✓ After due hearing, decide controversies concerning the implementation of the relevant books of this Code that
may arise between registered enterprises or investors therein and government agencies, within thirty (3)) days
after the controversy has been submitted for decision: Provided, That the investor or the registered enterprise
may appeal the decision of the Board within thirty (30) days from receipt thereof to the President;
5. ✓ Recommend to the Commissioner of Immigration and Deportation the entry into the Philippines for employment
of foreign nationals under this Code;
6. (6) Periodically check and verify, either by inspection of the books or by requiring regular reports, the proportion of
the participation of Philippine nationals in a registered enterprise to ascertain compliance with its qualification to
retain registration under this Code;
7. ✓ Periodically check and verify the compliance by registered enterprises with the relevant provisions of this Code,
with the rules and regulations promulgated under this Code and with the terms and conditions of registration;
8. ✓ After due notice, cancel the registration or suspend the enjoyment of incentives benefits of any registered
enterprise and/or require refund of incentives enjoyed by such enterprise including interests and monetary
penalties, for (a) failure to maintain the qualifications required by this Code for registration with the Board of (b) for
violation of any provisions of this Code, of the rules and regulations issued under this Code, of the terms and
conditions of registration, or of laws for the protection of labor or of the consuming public: Provided, That the
registration of an enterprise whose project timetable, as set by the Board is delayed by one year, shall be
considered automatically cancelled unless otherwise reinstated as a registered enterprise by the Board;
9. ✓ Determine the organizational structure taking into account Article 6 of this Code; appoint, discipline and remove
its personnel consistent with the provisions of the Civil Service Law and Rules;
10. ✓ Prepare or contract for the preparation of feasibility and other pre-investment studies for pioneer areas either
upon its own initiative; or upon the request of Philippine nationals who commit themselves to invest therein and
show the capability of doing so; Provided, That if the venture is implemented, then the amount advanced by the
Board shall be repaid within five (5) years from the date the commercial operation of said enterprise starts;
11. ✓ When feasible and considered desirable by the Board, require registered enterprises to list their shares of
stock in any accredited stock exchange or directly offer a portion of their capital stock to the public and/or their
employees;
12. ✓ Formulate and implement rationalization programs for certain industries whose operation may result in
dislocation, overcrowding or inefficient use of resources, thus impeding economic growth. For this purpose, the
Board may formulate guidelines for progressive manufacturing programs, local content programs, mandatory
sourcing requirements and dispersal of industries. In appropriate cases and upon approval of the President, the
Board may restrict, either totally or partially, the importation of any equipment or raw materials or finished
products involved in the rationalization program;
13. ✓ In appropriate cases, the subject to the conditions which the Board deems necessary, suspend the nationality
requirement provided for in this Code or any other nationalization statute in cases of ASEAN projects or
investments by ASEAN nationals in preferred projects, and with the approval of the President, extend said
suspension to other international complementation arrangements for the manufacture of a particular product on a
regional basis to take advantage of economies of scale;
14. ✓ Extend the period of availment of incentives by any registered enterprise; Provided, That the total period of
availment shall not exceed ten (10) years, subject to any of the following criteria:
(a) The registered enterprise has suffered operational force majeure that has impaired its viability;
(b) The registered enterprise has not fully enjoyed the incentives granted to it for reasons beyond its control;
(c) The project of the registered enterprise has a gestation period which goes beyond the period of availment
of needed incentives; and
(d) The operation of the registered enterprise has been subjected to unforeseen changes in government
policies, particularly, protectionalism policies of importing countries, and such other supervening factors
which would affect the competitiveness of the registered firm;
15. ✓ Regulate the making of investments and the doing of business within the Philippines by foreigners or business
organizations owned in whole or in part by foreigners;
16. (16) Prepare or contract for the preparation of industry and sectoral development programs and gather and
compile statistical, technical, marketing, financial and other data required for the effective implementation of this
Code;
17. ✓ Within four (4) months after the close of the fiscal year, submit annual reports to the President which shall
cover its activities in the administration of this Code, including recommendations on investment policies;
18. ✓ Provide, directly or through Philippine Diplomatic Missions, such information as may be of interest to
prospective foreign investors;
19. (19) Collate, analyze and compile pertinent information and studies concerning areas that have been or may be
declared preferred areas of investments; and
20. ✓ Enter into agreements with other agencies of government for the simplification and facilitation of systems and
procedures involved in the promotion of investments, operation of registered enterprises and other activities
necessary for the effective implementation of this Code;
21. ✓ Generally, exercise all the powers necessary or incidental to attain the purposes of this Code and other laws
vesting additional functions on the Board.

Powers and Duties of the Chairman:

The Chairman shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To preside over the meetings of the Board;
(2) To render annual reports to the President and such special reports as may be requested;
(3) To act as liaison between investors seeking joint venture arrangements in particular areas of investments;
(4) Recommend to the Board such policies and measures he may deem necessary to carry out the objectives of this
Code; and
(5) Generally, to exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be directed by the Board of Governors
from time to time.

Powers and Duties of the Vice-Chairman:

The Vice-Chairman shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To act as Managing Head of the Board;
(2) To preside over the meetings of the Board in the absence of the Chairman;
(3) Prepare the Agenda for the meetings of the Board and submit for its consideration and approval the policies and
measures which the Chairman deems necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of this Code;
(4) Assist registered enterprises and prospective investors to have their papers processed with dispatch by all government
offices, agencies, instrumentalities and financial institutions; and
(5) Perform the other duties of the Chairman in the absence of the latter, and such other duties as may be assigned to him
by the Board of Governors.

D. PREFERRED AREAS OF INVESTMENTS

-shall mean the economic-activities that the Board shall have declared as such in accordance with Article 28 which shall
be either non-pioneer or pioneer.

Pioneer enterprise

Non-Pioneer enterprise

E. Investment Priority Plan (IPP)

The IPP identifies the investment areas eligible for incentives under the Code, and shall be reviewed annually.
Priority areas include:
 preferred activities;
 export activities;
 special laws; and
 Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) list.

What are the preferred areas of activities under the 2022 SIPP?
Criteria in Investment Priority Determination

Approval of the Investment Priorities Plan

Registration of Investments

Qualifications of a Registered Enterprise

Application

Approval and Registration

Criteria for Evaluation of Applications

Appeal from Board’s Decision

Certificate of Registration

F. PRIVILEGES BY BOI TO REGISTERED ENTERPRISES

 Incentive privileges may be enjoyed only upon registration.

TAX EXEMPTIONS
A. Income Tax Holiday (ITH)
1. BOI registered enterprises shall be exempt from the payment of income tax reckoned from the
approved target or actual date of commercial operations, whichever comes first, but in no case earlier than the
date of registration, as follows:
• Six (6) years for new projects granted pioneer status;
• Six (6) years for projects located in Less Developed Areas (LDAs), regardless of status (pioneer
or non-pioneer) or type of projects (new or expansion);
• Four (4) years for new projects granted non-pioneer status; and
• Three (3) years for expansion and modernization projects. (As a general rule, ITH shall be
limited only to incremental sales given a specified base year.)

2. New registered pioneer and non-pioneer enterprises, expansion enterprises granted pioneer incentives
under Article 40 of EO 226, and those located in LDAs may be granted one (1) bonus year of ITH incentive for
each of the following criterion:
• Capital Equipment to Labor Ratio Criterion. The ratio of derived dollar cost of capital equipment
to the average number of direct labor does not exceed US$10,000; or
• Net Foreign Exchange Earnings/Savings Criterion. The net foreign exchange savings or
earnings for the first three (3) years of commercial operation should at least be US$500,000; or
• Indigenous Raw Material Cost Criterion. The indigenous raw materials used in the manufacture
or processing of the registered product is at least fifty percent (50%) of the total cost of raw materials for
each of the taxable year beginning the start of commercial operation up to when the extension using this
criterion was applied for. In no case shall a registered firm avail of ITH for a period exceeding eight (8)
years.

B. Duty free importation of capital equipment, spare parts and accessories, subject to conditions;
1. Registered enterprise with a bonded manufacturing warehouse shall be exempt from customs duties and
national internal revenue taxes. The availment period shall not exceed ten (10) years from date of registration.
2. Exemption from wharfage dues and export tax, duty, impost, and fees
All enterprises registered under the IPP will be given a ten (10) year period from the date of registration
3. Tax and duty-free importation of breeding stocks and genetic materials
Agricultural production and processing projects will be exempt from the payment of all taxes and duties on their
importation of breeding stocks and genetic materials within ten (10) years from the date of registration or commercial
operations.

TAX CREDITS
a. Tax credit on the purchase of domestic breeding stocks and genetic materials
A tax credit equivalent to one hundred percent (100%) of the value of national internal revenue taxes and
customs duties that would have been waived (had these been imported) on the purchase of local breeding stocks and
genetic materials within ten (10) years from the date of registration or commercial operations.
b. Tax credit on raw materials and supplies
Tax credit equivalent to the national internal revenue taxes and duties paid on raw materials, supplies, and semi-
manufactured products used in the manufacture of export products and forming part thereof.

ADDITIONAL DEDUCTIONS FROM TAXABLE INCOME

a. Additional deduction for labor expense (ADLE)

For the first five (5) years from date of registration, a registered enterprise shall be allowed an additional
deduction from taxable income equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the wages of additional skilled and unskilled workers in
the direct labor force.
This incentive shall be granted only if the enterprise meets a prescribed capital to labor ratio and shall not be
availed of simultaneously with ITH. This additional deduction shall be doubled or become one hundred percent (100%) if
the activity is located in an LDA. The privilege, however, is not granted to mining and forestry-related projects as they
would naturally be located in certain areas to be near their source of raw materials.
ADLE cannot be simultaneously availed of with ITH.
b. Additional deduction for necessary and major infrastructure work
A registered enterprise locating in LDAs or in areas deficient in infrastructure, public utilities, and other facilities
may deduct from taxable income an amount equivalent to the expenses incurred in the development of necessary and
major infrastructure works.

ZERO-RATED VALUE-ADDED TAX (VAT)

The BOI endorses to the BIR two types of zero percent (0%) VAT applications:
a. For purchases of raw materials and supplies used in the manufacture and which form part of the
registered export product; and
b. For purchases of goods, services, or properties of firms exporting one hundred percent (100%) of their
product. (Motor vehicles are not covered, except specialized vehicles such as backhoe, forklift, etc.)

NON-FISCAL INCENTIVES

Employment of foreign nationals

A registered enterprise may be allowed to employ foreign nationals in supervisory, technical, or advisory positions
for five (5) years from the date of registration. The position of president, general manager, and treasurer of foreign-owned
registered enterprises or their equivalent shall not, however, be subject to the foregoing limitations.
b. Simplification of customs procedures for the importation of equipment, spare parts, raw materials, and supplies
and exports of processed products.
c. Importation of consigned equipment for a period of ten (10) years from the date of registration, subject to
posting of a re-export bond.
d. The privilege to operate a bonded manufacturing/trading warehouse subject to Customs rules and regulations.