Senator Imee R. Marcos is seeking congressional approval of a measure seeking to exempt purchases for the government’s vaccination program by local government units (LGUs) and the private sector from taxes and other fees.
Marcos, chairwoman of the Senate Economic Affairs Committee, filed Senate Bill 1988 seeking to exempt LGUs and the private sector which are acquiring and purchasing COVID-19 vaccines from import duties taxes, and other fees, including exemption from Republic Act (RA) 9184, the ‘’Government Procurement Act .’’
The bill states that the vaccines to be acquired shall be for use of their employees and dependents and not for commercial distribution.
Such exemption shall also apply to the procurement of essential medical supplies and equipment necessary for the storage and handling of the vaccines.