LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS NO. 163

TO    :    All concerned

The Homecoming Program for Overseas Filipinos (Letter of Instructions No. 105, issued 31 July 1973), otherwise known as the Balikbayan program, has been an overwhelming success. While projected arrivals by February 28 was 30,000 the 35,000th Balikbayan participant has already actually arrived as of this date. 

Numerous requests and petitions for the extension of the Balikbayan participant has already actually arrived as of this 1973 to 28 February 1974) with the school vacation period overseas Filipinos, from associations thereof, and from officials of the Philippine foreign service. They cite as reasons the non-coincidence of the original Homecoming season (1 September 1973 to February 1974) with the local school vacation period overseas, and the lack of time of Overseas Filipinos to arrange for their vacations and leave of absences from their occupations due to the suddenness of the launching of the Balikbayan programs. 

A common reason, moreover, is that, with the stories about the new Philippines related by Balikbayan participants who have returned to their overseas residences, our countrymen who were unable to participate in Balikbayan are now more eager than ever to observe for themselves the New Society in action and to share the pride of the new Filipino in himself and in his reborn nation.

I am, therefore, extending the Homecoming Season or the Balikbayan program for another six (6) months effective 1 March 1974 to 31 August 1974 to enable more of our overseas countrymen and their families or their descendants to visit the motherland. Pursuant to this extension, the following instructions are hereby issued:

1.    Unless otherwise specified in this LOI, all provisions of LOI No. 105, issued 31 July 1973, shall remain in effect.t

2.    Unless otherwise specified in this LOI, all orders and instructions issued by every Department, Bureau or entity of the Government in implementation of LOI No. 105 shall remain in effect.

3.    The Philippine Air Lines is directed to offer fare reductions up to a minimum of 50% for round-trip travel for Overseas Filipinos as defined under LOI No. 105 from all overseas points served by PAL to Manila and return. In addition, PAL will offer special fares for Overseas Filipino students and Overseas Filipino family groups participating in Balikbayan. PAL will continue to offer 30% reduction in domestic air fares for Balikbayan participants. All incentives offered under this LOI are applicable to all Balikbayan participants regardless of the carrier they take in coming to the Philippines.

4.    The Philippine National Railways shall offer 30% reduction in fares to Balikbayan participants.

5.    The Department of Finance and/or it Bureaus concerned shall draft and implement rules and regulations granting the following incentives in addition to the extension of the temporary Tax Holiday benefit under LOI No. 105.

a.    Exemptions from the payment of Customs duties and taxes on personal effects brought home by Overseas Filipinos who have become permanent residents or naturalized citizens of other lands, and who have signified their desire to become permanent residents of the Philippines as proved by their presentation of the official approval of charge of residence by the authorities concerned in their respective foreign host countries.

b.    Tax exemptions for Overseas Filipinos in the same abovementioned category, and subject to the same proof of change of residence, in the purchase of locally-manufactured vehicles, household appliances, professional instruments and other tools of trade, occupation or employment provided such purchases are made locally with the United States currency.

Since 19.07.98.