The Philippine Senate has unanimously approved on third and final reading a bill that seeks to exempt persons wth disabilities (PWDs) from paying the mandatory 12 percent value added tax (VAT) on goods and services. According to Sen. Sonny Angara, chairman of the Senate committee on ways and means, no senator objected when the Senate voted to approve Senate BIll No. (SBN) 2890.
Sen. Angara explained that the passage of the bill would exempt PWDs from paying the 12 percent VAT on top of the 20% discount they are entitled to on particular goods and services.
Based upon Republic Act 2777, also known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, the government provides a 20% discount for PWDs on the sale of goods and services such as medicines, medical and dental services, hospital and laboratory fees, local transport fares, restaurants, hotels, theaters and educational assistance.
The bill for PWDs also align with the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010 or Republic Act 9994, which provides a VAT exemption to senior citizen on top of their 20 percent discount on particular goods and services.
The exemption bill for PWD, will prove to be a “great benefit and relief” to the country’s PWDs, who Senator Angara said had significantly increased over the years.
The principal author of the bill Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, said that bill also sought to provide additional income tax exemption amounting to P25,00 to those caring for PWDs who are incapable of supporting regardless of their age.
Is this bill a law now?