House approves tax perks for PWDs

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading Monday night a bill seeking to exempt persons with disabilities (PWDs) from paying the value-added tax (VAT) on certain goods and services.

A total of 201 lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill 1039 authored by Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who leads the independent bloc in the chamber, and Pasay City Rep. Imelda Calixto-Rubiano.

“I appeal to our honorable senators to prioritize my proposal so that we can extend additional genuine assistance to PWDs. This is very important to help their plight,” Romualdez said.

“This will extend benefits to PWD who are in dire need of support from the government because of their condition in life. I am thankful for their response to my proposal,” he added.

Romualdez said the bill is an equalizing measure as it would  accord PWDs the same privileges enjoyed by senior citizens under Republic Act 9994.

The measure seeks to amend Section 32 of Republic Act 7277, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Persons with Disability,” as amended by RA 9442.

Romualdez said the proposed VAT exemption shall apply to medical and dental services; purchase of medicine in all drugstores; public railways, skyways and bus fare; admission fees in theaters, cinemas, concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other places of culture, leisure and amusement; and services in hotels and similar lodging establishments, restaurants and recreation centers.

“Persons with disability effectively enjoy only P12 for every P100 worth of goods or service because the law does not exempt them from VAT, which is imposed on the net value of the goods or service or 10 percent of the P80 after deducting P20, representing the 20 percent discount granted in RA 9442, for every P100 worth of good or service purchased,” he said.

Abakada party-list Rep. Jonathan de la Cruz, co-author of the measure, said the bill would give justice to the disadvantaged sector.