By Junex Doronio
MANILA — After the announcement of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Thursday (29 Feb 2024) assured senior citizens that the higher discount on basic and prime commodities will be approved within March as it also aims to do away with the booklet.
On Wednesday (28 February 2024), Romualdez announced that the DTI could grant additional discounts for the elderly and PWDs by March, which are currently capped at P260 per month.
It was learned that under the law, senior citizens are entitled to a 5 percent discount on basic goods in supermarkets but it is capped at P65 per week.
From the current P65 per week limit, senior citizens will now be entitled to a P125 discount on basic goods, including agricultural products and cooking gas.
DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles disclosed that a public consultation will be held by mid-March where several proposals will be discussed like doing away with the booklet and replacing it with a QR code.
The agency also wanted the scope of products included in the discount list.
Nograles further bared the DTI will also invite the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to discuss the issue of a tax deduction for supermarket owners if the discount will be shouldered by businesses.
(el Amigo/MNM)
