MANILA – Senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) will soon benefit from a higher special discount when purchasing basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPC) each week.
Yesterday, the Departments of Trade and Industry, Agriculture, and Energy jointly signed an administrative order to increase the weekly cap on discounts.
According to the order, the special discount on BNPC purchases will be raised to P125 per week from the previous P65 per week. BNPCs are essential items crucial for consumers’ sustenance, particularly during calamities or emergencies.
Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual highlighted that the special discount is exclusively for senior citizens and PWDs, with no carryover of unused amounts.
“We recognize the valuable contributions of our senior citizens and persons with disabilities to our society, and this initiative reiterates our unwavering commitment to ensure their access to essential goods,” Pascual said.
Earlier, lawmakers instructed the agencies to raise the discount cap to better reflect current economic conditions and the cost of living.
The special discount is distinct from the 20 percent statutory discount provided under Republic Act 9994, also known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, and Republic Act 10754, which extends benefits and privileges to PWDs.
The new order, slated to come into effect on March 25 and subject to review every five years, reaffirms the right of senior citizens and PWDs to designate a representative for purchasing their basic goods.
These special discounts also apply to online purchases but are not applicable to registered barangay micro business establishments and cooperatives.
Meanwhile, allies of President Marcos in the House of Representatives have voiced their support for a measure aimed at creating job opportunities for senior citizens who may have retired but are still physically capable of working.
Representatives Fidel Nograles from the fourth district of Rizal province and Jude Acidre of the party-list Tingog lauded the House ways and means committee’s approval of a yet-to-be-numbered bill ensuring employment for the elderly.
Under the leadership of Albay Representative Joey Salceda, the committee is consolidating related legislation concerning bills that expand employment opportunities for seniors, mandating the state to offer employment to those who are willing and able to work or to rehire them.
“The Employment Opportunities for Senior Citizens and Private Entities Incentives Act is a noble proposal that would help ensure the inclusion of the elderly,” said Nograles, chairman of the House committee on labor and employment.
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