MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO
The vote for approval of House Bill 8259 was unanimous, with all 235 members present at the plenary session declaring “ayes” during the roll call balloting.
To be known as the “Handog sa mga Bayaning Lumaban Kontra COVID-190 Act” (Gift to Heroes who Fought Against COVID-19 Act) , HB 8259 consolidated six legislative measures proposing to extend to doctors, nurses and others working in allied medical fields tax incentives for their efforts in protecting their countrymen against the COVID 19 pandemic.
Deputy Speaker and 1PACMAN Partylist Rep. Michael Romero noted that he filed his bill several months before COVID-19 wrought havoc to public health. His proposal, HB 984, was originally meant for medical practitioners who render free professional services to the indigent.