Speaker Martin Romualdez called for a motu proprio investigation into several instances where senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) are denied discounts and benefits due them under the law.
Romualdez said these instances violate Republic Act No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 and Republic Act No. 10754 or the Expanded PWDs Benefits and Privileges Act.
“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 a common practice. So it cannot remain unchecked,” he said.
“This is what we hope to achieve in this investigation, to clarify the law and correct all their misconceptions and wrong implementation,” he added.
One such possible violation is the reported policy of a popular coffee shop chain that limits the 20 percent discount and exemption from the 12 percent value-added tax to only one food item and one drink per visit for seniors and PWDs.
The Pasig City Prosecutors Office also filed cases against two officials of a five-star hotel based in Pasig City for declining to grant the 20 percent discount to a senior citizen.
“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 said.
“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,” he added.
Romualdez is the principal author of RA No. 10754, which was enacted in 2016 and exempts more than 1.9 million PWDs from the 12 percent VAT on certain goods and services.
This is on top of the 20 percent discount PWDs enjoy under the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.
The Speaker called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the National Council on Disability Affairs to make an update on the implementation of a law.
For his part, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Brian Yamsuan asked his colleagues to pass a law that aims to institutionalize a national long-term care program for senior citizens to enable them to lead dignified, healthy, and secure lives.
“While doubling the amount of the pension benefit is a big help to our indigent lolos and lolas, this is, admittedly, not yet enough for them to be able to shoulder the costs of quality health care, insurance, shelter, and other services that they need, and should be entitled to, in their twilight years,” Yamsuan said.
Yamsuan said many poor elderly Filipinos usually survive by living with their children or relatives, or by taking on odd jobs, while others have either been neglected or abandoned.
called for a motu proprio investigation into several instances where senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) are denied discounts and benefits due them under the law.
Romualdez said these instances violate Republic Act No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 and Republic Act No. 10754 or the Expanded PWDs Benefits and Privileges Act.
“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 a common practice. So it cannot remain unchecked,” he said.
“This is what we hope to achieve in this investigation, to clarify the law and correct all their misconceptions and wrong implementation,” he added.
One such possible violation is the reported policy of a popular coffee shop chain that limits the 20 percent discount and exemption from the 12 percent value-added tax to only one food item and one drink per visit for seniors and PWDs.
The Pasig City Prosecutors Office also filed cases against two officials of a five-star hotel based in Pasig City for declining to grant the 20 percent discount to a senior citizen.
“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 said.
“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,” he added.
Romualdez is the principal author of RA No. 10754, which was enacted in 2016 and exempts more than 1.9 million PWDs from the 12 percent VAT on certain goods and services.
This is on top of the 20 percent discount PWDs enjoy under the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.
The Speaker called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the National Council on Disability Affairs to make an update on the implementation of a law.
For his part, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Brian Yamsuan asked his colleagues to pass a law that aims to institutionalize a national long-term care program for senior citizens to enable them to lead dignified, healthy, and secure lives.
“While doubling the amount of the pension benefit is a big help to our indigent lolos and lolas, this is, admittedly, not yet enough for them to be able to shoulder the costs of quality health care, insurance, shelter, and other services that they need, and should be entitled to, in their twilight years,” Yamsuan said.
Yamsuan said many poor elderly Filipinos usually survive by living with their children or relatives, or by taking on odd jobs, while others have either been neglected or abandoned.