Villar pushes promotion of medical tourism in the country

Senate President Manny Villar filed Senate Bill 1833 seeking to develop and promote medical tourism in the country.

The measure, also known as "The Medical Tourism Act," aims to link vital institutions in strengthening medical tourism while providing incentives like reduced taxes to investors.

"Not only will we solidly promote quality medical treatment and tourism in the country but we shall also discourage the exodus of our medical professionals abroad for greener pastures through this bill," Villar, Nacionalista Party president, said.

The bill states, "The Department of Health, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, shall assist hospitals, health and wellness clinics and other health service facilities in seeking accreditation from foreign governments so that they may qualify to serve foreign patients."

"As fiscal incentive, accredited medical, health and wellness institutions and other health service providers actively participating in the medical tourism industry shall be exempt from the payment of E-VAT and customs duties for the importation of medical facilities and equipment necessary for their operation," the measure provides.

It also states, "The LandBank of the Philippines is hereby mandated to formulate a Medical Tourism Credit Facility and Loan Package Window which shall provide low-interest loans for medical institutions and health service providers seeking to improve and modernize their health facilities, equipment and services in order to participate in the medical tourism program implemented by the government."

The Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry, in consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, shall promulgate the necessary implementing guidelines for medical institutions to seek accreditation to qualify them to serve foreign patients within six months from the effectivity of the Act.