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The Department of Trade and Industry said Wednesday senior citizens and persons with disabilities are entitled to 5-percent rebates on basic necessities and prime commodities purchased online.
It released Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01, series of 2022 that contains the guidelines on the provision of the mandatory statutory benefits and privileges of the senior citizens and PWDs on their purchases through online (e-commerce) and phone call/SMS.
The circular allows a 5-percent rebate, distinct from the 20-percent discount for purchases and transactions from brick-and-mortar establishments.
“These benefits and privileges under the said circular, including the 5-percent discount on BNPC purchases, are meant to be utilized especially the senior citizens and persons with disabilities all year-round, and not only amidst the pandemic,” said DTI undersecretary for consumer protection Ruth Castelo.
It allows for 5-percent discount on purchases not exceeding P1,300 a week for both online and offline transactions, without carryover of the unused amount.
The amount should be spent for the personal and exclusive consumption of the senior citizen and the PWD, and should be spent on at least four kinds of BNPCs.
Officials of the DTI said to receive the discount, one should declare to the merchant before placing orders the consumer’s status as a senior citizen or a PWD and submit supporting documents such as a scanned copy or screenshot of ID and the front and last pages of the purchase booklet.
The same proof of discount entitlement should be presented upon the delivery of goods and orders, if the purchase was made online or through a phone text or call.
The DTI said the list of basic necessities qualified for 5-percent discount included all varieties of rice, corn, all kinds of bread, fresh/dried/canned fish and other marine products, fresh meat, fresh eggs excluding quail eggs, bottled water, processed/fresh milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, cooking oil, sugar, salt, detergent, candle, charcoal, firewood, LPG and kerosene.
The prime commodities included in the list are flour, dried/processed meat, dairy products, condiment, onion, garlic, bath soaps, fertilizer, herbicide, pesticide, feeds, veterinary products, paper products, nipa, sawali, construction materials, batteries, electrical supplies and steel wire.
The DTI said that from time to time, it issues the suggested retail price list for BNPCs, as it continues to monitor the price and supply of goods and commodities.
It is expected to release an updated SRP Bulletin this month. The last updated SRP Bulletin came out in May 2022.
