Kamara pinasisilip ang ‘di pagbibigay ng diskwento sa seniors, PWD

MANILA, Philippines — Inatasan ni Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez ang angkop na komite ng Kamara de Representantes na magsagawa ng motu proprio investigation kaugnay ng mga ulat na hindi kinikilala ng ilang establisye­mento ang diskwento para sa senior citizens at persons with disabilities (PWDs).

“Laws granting benefits to our senior citizens and PWDs should be strictly followed and implemented. And if there are several instances of the improper grant of these privileges and benefits, it becomes the common practice. So it cannot remain unchecked,” sabi ni Romualdez.

Sinabi ni Romualdez na dapat itama ang maling paniniwala at maling implementasyon ng Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 (Republic Act 9994) at Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of PWD (RA 10754).

Nakarating na sa tanggapan ni Romualdez na mayroong isang sikat na coffee shop chain na ang binibigyan lamang umano ng 20% discount at 12% value-added tax (VAT) exemption ay isang food item at isang drink ng senior citizen of PWD.

Kamakailan ay kinasuhan ng Pasig City Prosecutors Office ang dalawang opisyal ng hotel sa Pasig City dahil sa hindi pagbibigay ng senior citizen discount. Sila ay kinasuhan ng paglabag sa RA 9994 at Article 116 ng Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act 7394).

“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,” sabi ni Romualdez.

Nanawagan din si Romualdez sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) na magbigay ng update kaugnay ng pagpapatupad ng mga discount para sa senior citizen at PWD.