Section 3March 20, 2007, Sec./Art. 3

A new Section 15-A is hereby inserted, amending Republic Act No. 7227, as amended, to read as follows:

"SEC. 15-A. Poro Point Freeport Zone (PPFZ) . The two hundred thirty-six and a half-hectare (236.5 has.) secured area in the Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone created under Proclamation No. 216, series of 1993, shall be operated and managed as a freeport and separate customs territory ensuring free flow or movement of goods and capital equipment within, into and exported out of the PPFZ.

The PPFZ shall also provide incentives such as tax and duty-free importation of raw materials and capital equipment. However, exportation or removal of goods from the territory of the PPFZ to the other parts of the Philippine territory shall be subject to customs duties and taxes under the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended, the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and other relevant tax laws of the Philippines.

"The provisions of existing laws, rules and regulations to the contrary notwithstanding, no national and local taxes shall be imposed on registered business enterprises within the PPFZ. In lieu of said taxes, a five percent (5%) tax on gross income earned shall be paid by all registered business enterprises within the PPFZ and shall be directly remitted as follows: three percent (3%) to the National Government, and two percent (2%) to the treasurer's office of the municipality or city where they are located.

"The governing body of the PPFZ shall have no regulatory authority over public utilities, which authority pertains to the regulatory agencies created by law for the purpose, such as the Energy Regulatory Commission created under Republic Act No. 9136 and the National Telecommunications Commission created under Republic Act No. 7925."