MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte is considering meeting with Congress to discuss tax relief for medical-grade oxygen manufacturers.
Duterte said the country needs a lot more medical-grade oxygen supplies, which he termed as an “essential component” amid the Covid-19 outbreak, during his pre-recorded Talk to the People, which aired Monday.
He also commended the oxygen manufacturers for continuing to produce during these difficult circumstances.
“We really need many supplies of oxygen. If it really goes out of control, we would need all the oxygen that they can produce for the people,” Duterte said.
Duterte emphasized the significance of having enough medical-grade oxygen in the country, especially now that the threat of the deadly virus has increased.
“When the first wave hit us, we had shortages of oxygen. That’s why these manufacturers must be given licenses. If everything is in order, give the license right away to manufacturers,” he said.
Aside from the licenses, Duterte wants to provide the manufacturers a tax relief for producing medical-grade oxygen.
“Maybe, I’ll talk to Congress to provide you a tax relief on your manufacturing, for you are producing a very vital component in the fight against the Covid-19 and the Delta variant,” he said.
According to Food and Drug Administration Director-General Eric Domingo, the country has 81 licensed medical-grade oxygen manufacturers.
