Congress urged to exempt senior citizens from EVAT on medicine

CEBU, Philippines – Councilor Edgardo Labella, chairman of the City Council committee on laws, is calling on Congress to expedite the hearings of the proposed amendment to the National Internal Revenue Code, which aims to except senior citizens from the 12 percent EVAT on drugs and medicines. 

Labella said the amendment is necessary to serve the interest, as well as protect the rights of the elderly.

Cebu City North District Representative Raul del Mar said House Bill No. 4990 seeks to amend the code to give special privilege to senior citizens by exempting them from the implementation of EVAT on drugs and medicines. Labella said Republic Act 9257 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003 itself grants additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens, however, these privileges seem useless with the EVAT because the 20 percent discount to senior citizens that are 60 years old and above now becomes a mere eight percent with EVAT.

Labella said the move of Senator Manuel Villar to amend the imposition of a 12 percent EVAT to senior citizens and exempt them from it is “very laudable.” — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)