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Waiver of procurement rules for LGU vaccines clears House panel
The House Committee on Ways and Means has approved tax exemptions for COVID-19 vaccines to be directly purchased by local government units (LGUs).
This provision is part of House Bill 8648, which aims to amend the Government Procurement Reform Act and expedite vaccine procurement.
The bill exempts the procurement, importation, storage, transport, distribution, and administration of these vaccines from customs duties, value-added tax, excise tax, and other fees.
However, the vaccines acquired must exclusively be for the use of the LGUs' residents and constituents and not for commercial distribution.
The measure also waives the requirement of Phase 4 trials for COVID-19 medication and vaccine, provided it is approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other globally-recognized health agencies.
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House Bill 8648, filed by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and others, seeks to allow local government units (LGUs) to directly purchase COVID-19 vaccines from manufacturers.
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The House of Representatives approved on second reading House Bill 8648, or the proposed Covid-19 Vaccination Program Act, which was certified as urgent by President Duterte.
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The Palace is confident Congress will approve amendments to the Government Procurement Law to allow local government units (LGUs) to purchase COVID-19 vaccines.
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President Rodrigo Duterte signed Presidential Memorandum 51 allowing local government units (LGUs) to make advance payments of up to 50 percent for COVID-19 vaccine procurement.
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President Rodrigo Duterte has certified as urgent the proposed law establishing an indemnification fund for adverse effects from COVID-19 vaccines, which is a requirement for the Philippines to receive vaccines from the COVAX facility.
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