House OKs bill to exempt medical oxygen, other healthcare supplies from taxes

Soon, during public health emergencies, medical oxygen will be tax-free. FILE PHOTO/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives approved on second reading the bill seeking a tax exemption on medical oxygen and other healthcare supplies during public health emergencies.

During Wednesday’s session, the lower chamber approved on second reading House Bill No. 8895 or the “Public Health Emergency Importation Tax Exemption Act.”

It exempts from taxation critical medical products like vaccines and other necessary medicines. Besides personal protective equipment (PPE), masks, face shields, and surgical supplies, it also covers essential goods.

Exemptions also include laboratory and other medical equipment, alcohols, sanitizers, tissue papers, thermometers, hand soaps, detergents, sodium hypochlorite, cleaning materials, povidone-iodine; testing kits, and other supplies or equipment as may be determined by the Department of Health (DOH) and other relevant government agencies.

“The bill comes at a good time when we are in need of these critical supplies. This end-to-end exemption will help bolster our stock of critical supplies, such as medical oxygen,” Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, one of the principal authors of the measure, said.

“This will save lives. It will serve as a ready mechanism for this president and future presidents to use when a public health emergency is imminent or in place,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he is considering talking with Congress about giving tax relief to manufacturers of medical oxygen, which he called a “vital component” in the country’s fight against COVID-19.

Earlier, a World Health Organization official urged the Philippines to augment its oxygen supplies amid the threat of the Delta variant.

READ: Duterte says he may ask Congress to give tax relief to medical oxygen firms