The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has vowed to facilitate complaints filed by senior citizens against establishments that refuse to give discounts.
Amanda Nograles, DTI assistant secretary, told reporters while the agency only covers the implementation of the special 5 percent discount on basic and prime commodities, all complaints lodged to the office are assessed and referred when necessary to the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) and the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC).
Nograles also reminded establishments to grant the discounts that are more favorable to senior citizens.
She said since the law stipulates no double discount, such as when an item is on promo, the establishment must compute the discount where the senior citizen can avail of the lower price.
“We work together with OSCA and the NCSC. When we receive complaints from senior citizens, we facilitate them so they can file the appropriate case,” Nograles said.
DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual meanwhile said in 2023, the agency received only 136 complaints related to establishments refusing to grant senior citizens discount.
