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February 13, 1968

NETHERLANDS

Volunteer Program

Agreement effected by exchange of letters,

Signed at Manila 13 February 1968;

Entered into force provisionally 13 February 1968, and definitively 16 July 1970.

I

ROYAL NETHERLANDS EMBASSY

No. 442

Manila, February 13, 1968

Excellency:

I have the honor to refer to the recent discussions held in Manila by the representatives of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines concerning the implementation of the Netherlands Volunteer Program (hereinafter referred to as "the Program") in the Philippines with a view to cooperating in the social, economic and industrial development of the Philippines by sending Netherlands men and women, equipped with the required technical knowledge or skills, to live and work with Filipinos and thereby promote friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries, and to confirm on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands the following understandings reached between them:

1. Upon request of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands shall within the limit imposed by the availability of manpower, financial and material resources, dispatch the Netherlands volunteers in the Program for the purpose of assisting in the implementation of projects according to project agreements to be separately agreed upon between the authorized officials of the two Governments.

2. The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands will, subject to budgetary appropriations, bear the cost of international travel between the Netherlands and the Philippines, provide the salaries and allowances of the Netherlands Volunteers in the Philippines and make available such equipment, materials, and medical supplies as necessary for the performance of their functions.

3. The Government of the Republic of the Philippines will:

(a) Exempt the importation of equipment, materials and medical supplies mentioned in 2 above, as well as a reasonable amount of household and personal effect for the use of the Netherlands volunteers from the payment of customs duties, taxes, and other charges due and collectible by the Philippine Government: Provided however, that in the event that said personal effects, equipment, materials and supplies are diposed of by barter, sale or lease, duties and taxes and other charges thereon shall first be paid.

(b) Exempt the Netherlands volunteers from the payment of income tax and charges of any kind imposed on or in connection with any emoluments to be remitted from overseas in connection with their volunteer service work including the living allowances mentioned in 2 above; and

(c) Exempt the Netherlands Volunteers from the payment of fees and other charges related to visa, immigration, and registration matters.

(d) The privileges and exemptions mentioned in paragraphs 3 (a), (b) and (c) above, are granted by the Philippine Government provided that the same privileges and exemptions will be enjoyed by Philippine volunteers who may be sent to the Netherlands in connection with an identical volunteer program.

4. In order to facilitate the implementation of this agreement the two Governments shall consult each other from time to time in order to make such arrangements with respect to the Program in the Philippines as may appear necessary and desirable upon the request of either. ,

I have the honour to propose that, if these understandings are acceptable to the Government of the Republic o£ the Philippines, this note and Your Excellency's reply note concurring therein shall constitute an agreement between our two Governments which shall enter into force on the date on which the Netherlands Government notifies the Philippine Government that the constitutional requirements which are in force in its country have been complied with. However, the Agreement shall be provisionally applied from the date of receipt of Your Excellency’s reply. The Agreement shall be in force until ninety days after the date of written notification from either Government to the other of its intention to terminate it.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

G. J. DISSEVELT
Netherlands Ambassador

His Excellency Narciso Ramos
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Manila

II

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Manila, February 13, 1968

Excellency:

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's note of today's date which reads as follows:

[See letter I]

I have further the honor to confirm the understandings set forth in your note on behalf of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

NARCISO RAMOS
Secretary of Foreign Affairs

His Excellency G. J. Dissevelt
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Embassy of the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands
Makati, Rizal