The country’s economic managers would still set the percentage rate of the tax relief that will be given to the manufacturers of medical-grade oxygen, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday, August 10.
Speaking on his virtual presser, Roque admitted there is no exact figure yet provided as relief by the legislative measure mentioned by President Duterte in his last Monday’s public address.
“Hayaan muna natin ang (We should let the) economic managers to propose to Congress the exact figure,” Roque, a lawyer, said.
“I’m sure with the level of cooperation being extended by Congress mapapabilis po ang pagpasa ng batas na ito (the passage of this law will be fast-tracked),” he added.
In his weekly address to the nation, the Chief Executive underscored the need to ensure sufficient supply of medical-grade oxygen in the country in preparation for the surge of COVID-19 cases.
READ: Duterte to ask Congress for tax relief on oxygen firms
Duterte is considering talking with Congress about giving tax relief for manufacturers for “producing a very vital component in the fight against COVID-19.”
“The first wave na dumaan sa atin, nagkakulang-kulang tayo sa oxygen (When the first wave hit us, we had ran out of oxygen),” he noted.
“Kaya itong gumagawa ngayon, bigyan ninyo ng lisensya ‘pag tama lang (That’s why those who manufacture them, give them a license). If everything is in order, bigyan ninyo na kaagad (give it right away).”
According to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chief Eric Domingo, who attended the briefing virtually, the Philippines has a total of 81 registered manufacturers of medical-grade oxygen.
READ: FDA sees no shortage of medical-grade oxygen supply
Of this number, Domingo said that 51 are manufacturing plants that exclusively supply oxygen to medical facilities while the rest are oxygen-generating plants in hospitals.
Concerned agencies are now gearing up for an expected increase in hospitalization rate due to the local transmission of the more contagious Delta variant of the virus.