House to probe reports that seniors, PWDS being denied discounts

The House of Representatives will soon launch a motu proprio investigation on alleged reports of senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDS) being denied of their discounts under existing laws.

Speaker Martin Romualdez ordered the conduct of the House inquiry in order to find out if Republic Act (RA) No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 and RA No.10754 or an Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of PWDS, which provides benefits for these sectors are still being followed.

“Flagrant violations of the laws that grant benefits to our senior citizens and PWDS are trending topics on social media these past few months. It is high time that the House of Representatives review the implementation of these laws and find out if business establishments are complying with every provision,” Romualdez said in a statement Monday, Jan. 15.

The leader of the 300-plus strong House said that laws granting benefits to senior citizens and PWDS should be strictly followed and implemented.

“If there are several instances of the improper grant of these privileges and benefits, it becomes the common practice. So, it cannot remain unchecked,” Romualdez said as he justified the House probe.

One such possible violation is the reported policy of a popular coffee shop chain that limits the 20 percent discount and exemption from the 12 percent value added tax to only one food item and one drink per visit for seniors and PWDS.

Recently, the Pasig City Prosecutors Office filed two cases against two officials of a Pasig hotel for declining to grant a 20-percent discount to a senior citizen.

They were charged for violating two senior citizen laws: Section 4 (a) (7) of RA No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 and Article 116 of RA No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

“Flagrant violations of the laws that grant benefits to our senior citizens and PWDS are trending topics on social media these past few months. It is high time that the House of Representatives review the implementation of these laws and find out if business establishments are complying with every provision,” the Speaker said.

“Until our probe is completed, we urge local authorities and government agencies to step up and ensure the proper and effective implementation of discounts granted to seniors and PWDS across businesses and service providers in the country,” he added.

Romualdez, Leyte’s 1st district congressman, is the principal author of RA No. 10754 or an Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of PWDS. The law was enacted in 2016 and exempts more than 1.9 million PWDS from the 12-percent VAT on certain goods and services.

This is on top of the 20-percent discount PWDS enjoy under R.A. 9442 or the law that amended and expanded the coverage of R.A. 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.

He called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) to give an update on the implementation of a law.