Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1028

Introduced by Representative Roman T. Romulo
Lone District of Pasig City

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 7 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9178 OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE BARANGAY MICRO BUSINESS ENTERPRISES (BMBEs) ACT OF
2002 TO EXEMPT BMBEs FROM LOCAL TAXES ON BUSINESS.

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

Section 1. _ Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9178 otherwise known as the
Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) Act of 2002 is hereby amended to read
as follows:

Section 7. Exemption from Taxes and Fees. All BMBEs shall be exempt from
income tax for income arising from the operations of the enterprise.

All BMBEs shall likewise be exempt from all local taxes on business and the
LGUs are encouraged to either reduce the amount of other local taxes, fees and
charges imposed or to exempt the BMBEs from other local taxes, fees and charges.

Section 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Secretary of the
Department of the Interior and Local Government, in consultation with the Secretaries of
the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Finance shall formulate
the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within ninety
(90) days after its approval. The rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Section
shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Section 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OS UL 2013
First Regular Session i
1029

HOUSE BILL NO,

Introduced by Representative Roman T. Romulo
Lone District of Pasig City

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution provides that the “State shall afford full protection to labor, local
and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of
employment opportunities for all.” Towards this end, the State must provide adequate
and timely social, economic, legal, and health services to overseas Filipino workers
(OFWs) or Filipino migrant workers.

Recognizing the significant contribution of Filipino migrant workers to the national
economy through their foreign exchange remittances, the State must undertake
measures to ensure that their health care needs are adequately addressed

Through this proposed enactment, government hospitals are mandated to
establish an “OFW ward” within their premises that is equivalent to an additional five (5)
percent of their total bed capacity. This measure also provides the OFW the privilege of
priority in admission to a government hospital that has reached its full capacity at the
time the OFW seeks to be admitted.

The undersigned believes that through this proposed enactment, two (2) benefits
can be achieved. First, if the health care needs of OFWs are properly addressed in
government hospitals, they are able to recover from their illnesses quicker, allowing
them to return to their foreign employment sooner. Second, OFWs are given a privilege
in recognition of their valuable contribution and support to the national economy, for
they are among the true, living heroes of our society

For these reasons, the passage of this bill is eamestly sought

BBL

HON. ROMAN T. ROMULO