Seniors, PWDS to enjoy ₱125 weekly discounts starting next week — DTI

The much-awaited increase in weekly price discounts from ₱65 to ₱125 for senior citizens and persons with disabilities' (PWDS) purchases of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCS) is expected to take effect on Monday, March 25, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced.

In a press conference on Thursday, March 21, DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles of the Consumer Protection Group (CPG) said they intend to publish the revised Joint Administrative Order (JAO), which contains the amended discount, on Monday. The JAO will be effective upon publication.

The revised JAO was crafted by the DTI, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Energy (DOE).

DTI Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual signed the JAO prior to the press conference, noting that the heads of the DA and DOE have also already affixed their signatures to the document.

Nograles highlighted the main points that were changed to clarify the JAO during the press briefing.

Compared to the previous ₱65 weekly discount afforded to seniors and PWDS,

the new JAO mandates the increase in the weekly five percent discount to ₱125.

This means that eligible consumers are now able to receive five percent discounts for a total purchase value of ₱2,500 per week, from the five percent of ₱1,300.

Nograles clarified that consumers do not need to purchase ₱2,500 worth of goods to avail of the discount, but seniors and PWDS must buy at least four varied items listed as BNPCS.

The whole ₱125 discount cannot be availed for a single session of purchasing, for a single day, or for a single type of item.

This limitation is enforced in order to monitor that the purchases are really for personal use, she added.

However, the remaining discount, if not used completely, cannot be carried over the following week.