Press Release
March 30, 2016

NANCY'S TAX RELIEF BILL FOR PWDs NOW SIGNED INTO LAW

Senator Nancy Binay lauds the passage of a tax relief bill she authored for people with disabilities, exempting them from 12 percent value added tax (VAT) on goods and other services.

President Aquino signed Republic Act No. 10754 (Senate Bill No. 2890) that granted tax benefits for persons with disabilities (PWDs), providing 12 percent VAT exemption on certain goods and services, last March 24.

"It is high time that the government must recognize and continue to promote the welfare of people with disabilities to empower them as individuals in our society. I believe that such tax benefits will make a great impact in easing their financial burden, especially with costs associated with their needs," Senator Binay said.

The lady senator added that more than 1.5 million people with disabilities are said to benefit from this tax relief. In 2010, the Census on Population and Housing estimated the PWD population in the country at 1.43 million.

Under Republic Act No. 7277, also known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, PWDs are provided a 20 percent discount on medicines, medical and dental services, hospital and laboratory fees, local transport fares, restaurants, hotels, theaters and even educational assistance.

Senator Binay said that RA 10754's 12 percent tax exemption gives additional support to RA 7277's 20 percent VAT discount.

"Alam natin na mayroong mga espesyal na pangangailangan ang ating PWDs para sa kanilang kundisyon. Malaki ang maitutulong natin sa kanila kapag, kahit papaano ay, maawasan natin ang kanilang mga gastusin sa pangaraw-araw," the lady senator said.

Since she was elected, Senator Binay has always advocated the needs of marginalized sectors like women, children, and most especially, PWDS.

Among the bills she authored for people with disabilities in the Senate are Senate Bill No.2519, An act improving access of persons with disability to public and private facilities; and Senate Resolutions No. 453, a Senate resolution providing sign language interpreters in Senate sessions and committee hearings with the intention of improving information dissemination to PWDs with hearing impairment, and Senate Resolution No. 374, a resolution expressing full support and active participation to the observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

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