Agencies drafting joint order raising monthly discount of seniors, PWDs to P500

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Energy (DOE) are drafting a joint order to implement the plan to increase the discounts being enjoyed by senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) on groceries to P500 a month.

In a news release on Thursday, the DTI said the joint administrative order (JAO) being crafted with the DA and DOE came after the discussions held in the Committee of Ways and Means of the House of Representatives concerning the discounts for seniors and PWDs on basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs).

The Trade Department said the draft JAO titled “2024 Revised Rules on Granting Special Discounts to Senior Citizens and Persons with Disability on the Purchase of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities” proposes raising the current 5% special discount for seniors and PWDs on BNPCs from the current P65 per week to P125 per week or a cumulative of P500 per month, “subject to review every five years.”

It was House Speaker Martin Romualdez who sought a hike in the 5% discount that seniors and PWDs enjoy each week on groceries.

“The draft JAO reaffirms the rights of senior citizens and persons with disabilities to purchase basic goods through representatives and allows for discounts on online purchases,” said Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual.

The DTI said it conducted a series of public consultations with government agencies, consumers, consumer organizations, and businesses from March 11 to March 12, in cooperation with the DA, DOE, and Bureau of Internal Revenue.

The Trade Department said that during the consultations, retailers provided feedback on the draft JAO, particularly regarding the tax treatment of the discount.

Meanwhile, seniors and PWDs expressed appreciation for the agencies’ efforts.

The DTI, DA, and DOE will consider all the comments from the consultations before finalizing the JAO.

“However, the discounts will be suspended during automatic price control and price ceiling implementations, and registered Barangay Micro Business Establishments (BMBEs) are exempt from providing them,” said Pascual.  — VBL, GMA Integrated News