Donors to six priority projects get tax breaks

MANILA, Philippines — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has identified six priority development projects that will enable its individual or corporate donors to avail of income tax breaks.

According to the 2020 National Priority Plan (NPP) drawn up recently by NEDA, these projects are the following: Malnutrition Reduction Program of the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI); Science and Technology Academic and Research Based Openly Operated Kiosk (STARBOOKS) of the Department of Science and Technology - Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST- STII); DOSTv: Science for The People also implemented by the DOST- STII;  Access to Resources and Innovations in Science Education (ARISE): 21st Century Model Classroom of the DOST–Science Education Institute (SEI); Adopt-A-School Program implemented by Department of Education and Philippine Rural Development Project of the Department of Agriculture.

The NPP is an annual list of the government’s priority programs, projects and activities in the areas of education, health, youth and sports development, human settlements, science and culture, and economic development.

NEDA draws up a list every year as mandated in the National Internal Revenue Code.

Individual or corporate donors to projects under the list can file for income tax deduction based on their donations to the projects.

Participation in NPP projects is a way for the government to mobilize private sector resources to free up pubic resources for other development priorities.