Virgilio Lorenzo Jr

The Bureau of Internal Revenue's central office in Quezon City. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173460098094420180111-bir-central-office-5306-md-3.webp" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Bureau of Internal Revenue&#x27;s central office in Quezon City. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner">The Bureau of Internal Revenue&#x27;s central office in Quezon City. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</span></span></span></div><p>The Bureau of Internal Revenue vowed that it will continue to support the expanding list of medicines exempted from Value-Added Tax (VAT).</p><p>The agency recently exempted more medicines for cancer, diabetes, and mental illnesses from VAT.  BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said this is to make medicines affordable. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/9/9/unregistered-online-businesses-may-be-suspended-bir-906"><strong>Unregistered online businesses may be suspended: BIR</strong></a></div><p>&quot;Ito rin ang malaking bagay sa ating mga kababayan parte na rin &#x27;yan ng programa ng ating mahal na pangulo na gusto rin niyang makatulong sa ating mga kababayan at makatulong nag kanilang kalagayan,&quot; he said. </p><p>The BIR chief added that they will continue to support exempting medicines from VAT even if it means losses from tax collection.</p><p>&quot;Kaya naman patuloy rin ang pagsuporta ng BIR kahit na ang resulta niyan ay bawas koleksyon sa amin ay pinapatupad natin, inilalabas at dinadagdagan natin ang mga VAT-exempt na mga gamot,&quot; Lumagui added </p><p>&quot;Parami nang parami yung saklaw ng VAT-exempt ng gamopt at mas mura na by, kasi wala nang VAT, 12 percent,&quot; he noted.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2024/11/22/bilyon-bilyon-nawawala-sa-gobyerno-sa-mga-pekeng-produkto-bir-2356"><strong>Bilyon-bilyon nawawala sa gobyerno sa mga pekeng produkto: BIR</strong></a></div>

<p>The Bureau of Internal Revenue vowed that it will continue to support the expanding list of medicines exempted from Value-Added Tax (VAT).</p>

The Bureau of Internal Revenue vowed that it will continue to support the expanding list of medicines exempted from Value-Added Tax (VAT).

BIR says backs more VAT-exempt medicines despite tax collection losses

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Business

BIR says backs more VAT-exempt medicines despite tax collection losses

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 19, 2024 05:36 PM PHT

Read More:

ABSNews

Bureau of Internal Revenue

BIR

Value-Added Tax

VAT

VAT-exempt

medicines

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.