Biz Establishments urged to give discount to authorized reps of Senior Citizens

June 22, 2020 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY —The local legislative body is imploring all business establishments in the city to apply the lawfully mandated discount privileges even in the absence of the senior citizen as long as the representative presents the senior citizen’s identification card and an authorization letter signed by the card holder.

The council resolution approved June 15 states there have been reported cases in which goods/services were not discounted due to the absence of the senior citizen in the premises of the business establishment even if the representative presented the Senior Citizen Identification Card and an authorization letter.

There is a need for the appropriate national and local government agencies and offices to require business establishments to honor authorized representatives of senior citizens and to apply the
discount privileges under the Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, the resolution states. Councilor Elaine Sembrano, main proponent of the resolution, asserts it is the
public duty of the government to ensure that the Expanded Senior Citizens Act and other policies governing the application of discount privileges of senior citizens are complied with.

The city is now under the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ); and due to strict restrictions on mobility imposed by the local and national government, senior citizens in the city are mandated to stay at home to protect them from the highly contagious disease.

Along with senior citizens, children, pregnant women, and persons with certain health conditions are prohibited from leaving their homes even under the most relaxed form of community quarantine.

The city government, however, allows the elderly to go out of the house on Sundays to buy their groceries and medicines.

Due to health issues and limited mobility, some senior citizens rely on their family members to shop or run errands for them. The resolution urges all business establishments to grant the mandatory 20% discount as prescribed by RA 9994 on items bought and services paid for senior citizens upon the assigned person’s presentation of the Senior Citizen Identification Card and a written authorization duly signed by the card owner.

The resolution also enjoins the City Social Welfare and Development Office to make the appropriate representations with all business establishments in the city for their respective sales counter personnel to honor the city council’s request.

Among the goods and services which are given 20% discount and VAT-exemption under RA 9994 are medicines; essential medical supplies, accessories, and equipment; prime and basic
commodities; ordered food in restaurants; medical and dental services; and domestic transportation privileges.

Jordan G. Habbiling/ABN