SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) to provide the public and the Congress some updates regarding the compliance rate of a law exempting people with disability from the payment of 12 percent value-added tax (VAT) on specific goods and services.

Romualdez, one of the principal authors of Republic Act (RA) 10754 or the Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability (PWDs), urged the House of Representatives to utilize its oversight function by directing the relevant committee to investigate, in aid of legislation, reports on the improper grant of discounts to PWDs, as well as senior citizens.

RA 10754, signed into law on March 23, 2016 by then President Benigno Aquino III, exempts more than 1.5 million PWDs from the 12-percent VAT on certain goods and services.

“We want to know how the concerned people have been complying with this law. We should show malasakit (concern) over the plight of our PWDs,” Romualdez said.

“We just want to ensure that PWDs are enjoying the benefits they deserve under the law three years after its enactment. Let us work to beef up efforts in informing the public about the standards set by law for the rights and privileges of our PWDs,” he added.

The officials of the DSWD, NCDA, and Department of Health signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 10754.

The VAT exemption is in addition to the 20-percent discount that PWDs have been enjoying under RA 9442, or An Act Amending RA 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons and for other Purposes.

It covers the purchase of medicines and food for special medical purposes, medical and dental services, including laboratory fees and the professional fees of attending doctors, fares for domestic air, sea, and land transportation travel, and funeral and burial services.

All establishments are mandated to display signs listing the benefits and privileges of PWDs within their premises.

The law also includes the provision of tax incentives for those caring for and living with PWDs up to the fourth degree of affinity or consanguinity.

To avail themselves of the exemptions, PWDs should present an ID issued by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office or their local Social Welfare Development Office where the PWD resides, a passport, or an ID issued by the NCDA.

Romualdez has emphasized that the DSWD, the NCDA, and the House should also investigate potential cases of abuse by some individuals in the privileges granted to PWDs.

“Only legitimate PWDs should benefit from the law,” he pointed out.