By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Acting swiftly on the complaints received by his office, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Monday directed the appropriate committee in the House of Representatives to initiate an investigation into reports that some establishments were not honoring the discounts for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Reports reaching the Office of the Speaker said a popular coffee shop chain limits the 20% discount and exemption from the 12% value-added tax (VAT) to only one food item and one drink per visit for seniors and 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,” Romualdez noted.
The House leader who also represents Leyte, stressed the need to correct misconceptions and wrong implementation of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 (Republic Act 9994), and the Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of PWD (RA 10754).
“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,” Romualdez hammered on.
Recently, the Pasig City Prosecutors Office filed two cases against two officials of a Pasig hotel for declining to grant a 20% discount to a senior citizen.
They allegedly violated RA 9994 and Article 116 of the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act 7394).
“Until our probe is completed, we urge local authorities and government agencies to step up and ensure the proper and effective implementation of discounts granted to seniors and PWDs across businesses and service providers in the country,” Romualdez bared.
(el Amigo/MNM)