‘SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )

‘Second Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
House Bill No, 7622
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 15 of Article 1! of the Constitution states that it is the policy of the State to
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instills health consciousness
among them. Further, Section 11 of Article XIll states that the State shall adopt an integrated
‘and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential
goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There
shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and
children. The state shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers.

However, our country has been experiencing brain drain of doctors who are also
taking nursing courses in the hope of going abroad, worsening the shortage of healthcare
workers in many parts of the country. This is an alarming phenomenon because it augments
the already existing shortage of health care workers who are crucial to the adequate delivery
of basic health services. Hence, there is a need to give incentives to doctors so that they
would not be enticed to leave the country. This bill seeks to give tax credit to doctors
rendering pro bono services to the indigents.

In view thereof, immediate approval of this Bill is sought.

Yh

MAXIMO BY RODRIGUEZ, JR.


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS, )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
‘Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
House Bill no.?622

‘AN ACT
GIVING TAX CREDIT TO PHYSICIANS RENDERING PRO BONO SERVICES TO POOR
PATIENTS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is the deciared policy of the State to protect
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.
Further, the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health
development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services
available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the
underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. The state shall endeavor to
provide free medical care to poor patients.

Section 2. Incentive to Physicians Rendering Pro Bono Services to Poor
Patients. Physicians rendering pro bono services to poor patients shall be entitled to tax
credit to be deducted from their gross income. For this purpose, the Department of Health
and the Philippine Medical Association shall evaluate the pro bono services rendered by the
physicians considering the number of hours and the nature of treatment involved.

Section 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Bureau of Intemal Revenue
in consultation with the Department of Health and the Philippine Medical Association shall
promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective enforcement of the provisions of this
Act.

Section 4. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act or any part
thereof be declared invalid, the other provisions, so far as they are separable from the invalid
‘ones, shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,