By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Local labor group, the General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA), lauded a recently-signed law exempting expensive medicines from the value-added tax (VAT). In a radio interview, GAWA Secretary-General Wennie Sancho said the new law will help the Filipino people, especially those taking maintenance medicines.
President Rodrigo Duterte recently signed RA 11467 into law, which amends portions of the National Internal Revenue Code. Aside from the VAT exemption, the policy also imposes higher taxes on liquor and electronic cigarettes.
Sancho noted, senior citizens will also benefit from the new law, pointing out, sometimes their pensions are not enough.
The VAT exemption takes effect on January 1, 2023./DGB, WDJ