By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Good news for senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs) as Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday (28 Feb 2024) said they can avail of a total of P500 monthly discount on groceries and other commodities starting next month.
In a statement, Romualdez said that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) could grant additional discounts for the elderly and PWDs by March, which are presently at P260 per month.
“We’re working so that the usual P65 per week discount for senior citizens and PWDs may be increased to P125,” DTI Undersecretary Carolina Sanchez confirmed.
Sanchez added that the DTI, Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Energy (DOE) will also release a joint issuance on the additional discount.
It was gathered that covered by the discounts are basic goods and prime commodities — or regular items consumed daily — such as rice, corn, bread, meat, fish, chicken, eggs, cooking oil, sugar, vegetables, fruits, onions, garlic, as well as fresh and processed milk.
Medical-grade milk is exempted.
Also covered by discounts are manufactured goods, such as processed meat, sardines, and corned beef.
However, Sanchez said premium brands, as well as premium items, including non-essential food such as cakes and pastries, are also exempted from the additional discount.
Senior citizens and PWDs lauded Romualdez as they also enjoyed additional discounts on basic construction supplies like cement, hollow blocks, and electrical supplies, including light bulbs.
(el Amigo/MNM)
