Rep. Tulfo,4 other congressman: Give 10% med discount to rank and file gov’t employees
HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo and four of his colleagues in Congress are pushing for a 10-percent discount for medicines to be given to the rank and file government employees, to help them cope with expenses when they are sick.
According to Tulfo, he, along with ACT-CIS partylist Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and Quezon City 2nd district Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo, filed the bill “An act granting rank and file government employees a 10% discount on the sale of medicines”.
“Alam natin ang sitwasyon ng mga maliit na manggagawa ng pamahalaan na hirap din na matustusan ang kanilang mga gamot kapag sila ay nagkakasakit dahil sa mahal ng mga bilihin,” Tulfo said.
“Ang batas na ito ay makakagaan kahit papaano sa kanilang buhay at makababawas sa malaking gastusin tuwing magkakasakit,” the legislator added.
According to the lawmakers, their proposal would only cover the government employees who earn a salary of P30,000 and below.
In the proposed law, the government employee would only have to present a valid ID and proof of salary to show they only receive P30,000 or below, to enable them to avail of the 10 percent discount in medicines, for both branded and generic drugs.
It is also stated in the proposed law that whoever violates or does not abide by the legislation may face a penalty between P50,000 to P100,000, or a six month to one year imprisonment, depending on the gravity of an offense.
“Government employees, who often shoulder the responsibility of supporting families, are particularly vulnerable to the financial burden of high medication costs,” the proposed law said.
“This will enable them to access essential medications, improve their health outcomes, and enhance their overall quality of life,” it added. “The VAT exemption will further lower the cost of medicines, making them more affordable for a broader segment of the population. This measure aligns with the government’s commitment to promoting public health and reducing poverty.”
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KWENTONG BARBERO
