Oxygen, critical med supplies exempted from taxes

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a bill exempting critical medical supplies, including medical oxygen, from all taxes.

Voting 202-0-0, lawmakers approved House Bill No. 8895, or the proposed “Public Health Emergency Importation Tax Exemption Act.”

The bill exempts from taxes the manufacture, importation, sale and donation of critical medical supplies and essential goods during public health emergencies.

The proposed measure mandates the Secretary of Health and Secretary of Finance to provide the list of goods subject to exemption.

—NESTOR CORRALES