EDITORIAL - Much-needed boost for seniors, PWDs

The Cebu City Council has approved an ordinance spelling out guidelines in imposing penalties on business establishments that refuse to extend discounts to senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The proposed penalties can go as high as revoking the business permits of erring establishments. The approved ordinance now only awaits the signature of the mayor to take effect.

That the ordinance is a welcome development needs no stressing. It is both timely and reassuring. It addresses a continuing problem suffered by senior citizens and PWDs who, despite the enactment of several laws, the most recent of which is Republic Act 9994, many are still getting deprived or cheated of their benefits by unscrupulous businesses.

One of the most common violations of senior citizens laws is the refusal of some businesses to grant the required 20 percent discount on purchases if a senior citizen does not have a senior citizens card issued by the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs. Another is the refusal of some businesses to grant the full 20 percent discount on the gross amount of sale.

RA 9994 is very clear about what is required for a senior citizen to claim his discount benefit, and it is not just a senior citizen's ID card. According to RA 9994, there are three ways a senior citizen may establish his identity and age to qualify for his benefits -- through a senior citizen's ID card, or through a current passport, or any other document or ID that clearly establishes his citizenship, identity and age.

There are many of these other documents that can vouch for a senior citizen's citizenship, identification, and age. Most government-issued IDs such as from the SSS, GSIS, PRC and drivers licenses all contain the required information spelled out in RA 9994. In other words, even if a senior citizen has no senior citizen ID card issued by the OSCA, he can still avail of his benefits if he has a GSIS, SSS, or PRC card or a valid driver's license.

As to the granting of the 20 percent discount, it is the common practice of restaurants not to apply the full discount on the gross amount but only on selected items. This is most evident when a senior citizen pays for an entire meal consumed by a party of several people.

Businesses only charge the discount on food they think was consumed by the senior and exempt the rest of the items on the assumption they were consumed by the rest of the group.

Aside from the new ordinance, maybe the OSCA itself can go around and conduct test purchases to really find out if businesses are really complying with what the law provides for seniors. The OSCA should not just be an office meant only to issue ID cards. It should be true to its name, which is to look after the welfare of senior citizens.