Tax Notes: PEZA application for registration now online

PURSUANT to Memorandum Circular No. 2015-15, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), activated Phase 1 of its Electronic Application for Registration System (e-ARS) on May 1, 2015. The system aims to improve the ease of doing business with PEZA.

The e-ARS may now be used for the following applications for registration:

1. New and existing registered ecozone developers – for all types of ecozones, including applications of existing registered ecozone developers for inclusion of additional areas to an existing ecozone.

2. New and existing registered ecozone enterprises – for all export, information technology, agro-industrial, logistics, tourism, medical tourism, including applications for such existing registered ecozone enterprises for “New Project”, “Expansion Project” and “Amendment of Registered Activity”.

Through the e-ARS, the application form, including all required attachments such as signed documents and PEZA-issued official receipt for registration fee, can be sent by e-mail to (1) eddapps@peza.gov.ph for ecozone developers; and (2) erdapps@peza.gov.ph for ecozone enterprises. The application fee can be paid in the PEZA Head Office or in the PEZA office in any of the PEZA economic zone.

The applicant shall subsequently submit to PEZA the hard copy of all scanned documents sent by e-mail and present the original official receipt for the application fee (1) within thirty (30) days from date of approval of the application by the PEZA Board for ecozone developers and (2) prior to signing of the applicant’s registration/supplemental agreement with PEZA for ecozone enterprises.

The process flow and guidelines for the use of the e-ARS are discussed in detail in the said memorandum.

(Source: Punongbayan & Araullo)