For public health emergencies: House panel OKs tax exemptions for donors of medical supplies, drugs

By Billy Begas

The House Committee on Ways and Means on Monday approved the provision giving tax exemptions to donors of medicines and medical supplies.

The provision is part of the proposed Health Procurement and Stockpiling Act, which was previously approved by the House Committee on Health.

The Ways and Means committee led by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda approved the provision, which allows the Department of Health (DOH) to solicit and receive grants, bequests, endowments, donations and contributions, which will be exempted from donor’s tax and can be considered allowable deduction from gross income tax.

Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan, author of the measure underscored the necessity for the government to have sufficient stocks of strategic and critical drugs and medical supplies such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and mechanical ventilators.

Tan said the country has experienced shortage of supply of medicines that can be used to treat COVID-19 patients as well as PPEs during the early stage of the pandemic.

She said this could be avoided by establishing the Heath Procurement and Stockpiling Bureau under the DOH, which will see to it that the country has enough supplies of needed medicines and other medical supplies.

Tan said the measure would also put safeguard to ensure that acquired medicines will not expire.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)