Seniors, PWDs to enjoy P60 weekly hike in discounts

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SENIOR citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) will be able to enjoy next month a weekly P60 increase in discounts on groceries and other prime commodities for a total of P500 monthly, Speaker Martin Romualdez announced yesterday.

The Speaker reached the agreement in a meeting Tuesday night at the House where trade officials led by Undersecretary Carolina Sanchez confirmed that the Department of Trade and Industry is amenable to his request for additional discounts for the elderly and PWDs, which they plan to implement before the end of March.

“We’re working so that the usual P65 per week discount for senior citizens and PWDs may be increased to P125,” Sanchez said, noting that it would translate to an increase of P500 from the current P260 monthly discounts on groceries and premium items enjoyed by senior citizens and PWDS.

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Romualdez has sought a hike in the five percent discount that seniors and PWDs enjoy weekly on groceries, currently capped at a total purchase value of P1,500, which translates to a weekly discount of P65, saying this is no longer appropriate given the increasing cost of living.

“I am delighted to welcome the imminent implementation of increased discounts for our senior citizens and PWDs,” Romualdez, a first cousin of President Marcos Jr., said in a statement.

He pointed out that senior citizens will enjoy a “back-to-back bonanza” as the President just signed into law last Monday Republic Act (RA) No. 11982 or the Expanded Centenarian Act which grants a P10,000 cash gift to an elderly citizen upon reaching the age of 80 and every five years after until the age of 95.

“This initiative to provide additional discounts for senior citizens and PWDs demonstrates the commitment of President Marcos to promoting inclusivity and social justice,” Romualdez said.

Sanchez said that while consultation with stakeholders is still ongoing, the inter-agency circular involving the DTI, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) on the additional discount is likely to be issued by March.

She clarified that the discounts cover only basic goods and prime commodities, or typical items consumed daily such as rice, corn, bread, meat, fish, chicken, eggs, cooking oil, sugar, vegetables, fruits, onions, garlic, as well as fresh and processed milk, except medical grade milk.

Also covered are manufactured goods such as processed meat, sardines, and even corned beef, although the premium brands are not. Premium items, including non-essential food such as cakes and pastries, are also exempted from the additional discount.

Senior citizens and PWDs also stand to enjoy additional discounts on basic construction supplies like cement, hollow blocks, and electrical supplies, including light bulbs.

MEDICAL DISCOUNT

A day after reminding drugstores and pharmacies about senior discounts, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday reminded senior citizens to be ready with their requirements so they can avail of discounts for medicinal purchases.

In its Advisory No. 2024-0429, the FDA said the elderly must present such requirements for them to be able to avail of the 20 percent discount.

“To avail (of) the 20% discount on purchases of medicines, senior citizens or their representatives are required to present any of the following identification documents,” said the FDA.

Foremost of the requirements is the identification card (ID) issued by the city or municipal mayor or Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) or the barangay captain of the place where the senior citizen resides.

The agency said the Philippine passport of the senior citizen concerned may also be presented.

Other documents that establish that the senior citizen is a citizen of the Philippines and is at least 60 years of age will also be honored, said the FDA.

In purchasing medicines and availing of the discounts, it reminded the elderly to always bring their Purchase Slip Booklets.

“Senior Citizens must also bring their Purchase Slip Booklets for purposes of recording the kind of medicine purchased, how many, when, and where it was purchased,” said the FDA.

Last Tuesday, the FDA reminded drug outlets and pharmacies to strictly implement the grant of a 20 percent discount on medicines purchased by senior citizens. — With Gerard Naval

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