THE House of Representatives approved on final reading a bill proposing to give medical frontliners a 25% tax discount for their tax due in 2020.
On Monday, lawmakers voted 235-0 on House Bill No. 8259 which provides tax relief to healthcare workers who helped contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The bill, which if signed will be known as the “Handog sa mga Bayaning Lumaban Kontra COVID-19 Act,” will grant healthcare frontliners working in institutions treating COVID-19 patients 25% off on their tax bill on salary and related compensation.
Tax relief does not cover businesses, investments, and other income not related to their health services.
Bayan Muna Representative Eufemia C. Cullamat said in explaining her yes vote during the plenary session Monday that other than tax relief, the government should focus on improving healthcare capacity.
“Labas sa panimulang relief na ito, at bahagi ng pagkilala sa kanilang mga sakripisyo, sana ay mapagtuunan din ng pansin ng kongreso at ng buong gobyerno ang lubusang pagsasaayos ng ating healthcare system (With tax relief as a starting point in recognition of healthcare workers’ sacrifice, I hope the entire government also pays attention to fixing the healthcare system),” she said. — Gillian M. Cortez
