MANILA – Consumer advocate Laban Konsyumer Inc. (LKI) said on Tuesday discounts for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) should also be applicable in online transactions.
In a statement, LKI president Victorio Mario Dimagiba said the group submitted a letter to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to clarify the implementing guidelines in availing of senior citizens and PWD discounts in online purchases.
“Most senior citizens and persons with disability above 65 years old purchase food items and other goods online and are not able to claim the discounts granted by law. In most cases, the merchants do not know what and how to grant the discounts,” said Dimagiba, a former DTI senior official.
The consumer group added the discounts for senior citizens and PWDs should also be applied in services offered by ride-hailing businesses.
“We were able to set up the guidelines on airline domestic transportation discounts done through online booking. We know we can develop the guidelines on online transactions by senior citizens and persons with disability for the uniform and standard implementation of the discounts,” Dimagiba said.
Under the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 9994, senior citizens and PWDs are entitled to a 20-percent discount and an exemption from the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on the sale of goods and services.
These include medical-related privileges, domestic transportation privileges, hotels, restaurants, recreational centers and places of leisure, and funeral and burial services.
Dimagiba added the “clear and convenient implementation” of senior citizen and PWD discounts would be timely with the challenges and difficulties brought about by the coronavirus disease pandemic and the community quarantine measures.
“Right now, it is important that the spirit of these initiatives is consistent and is carried out for all parties, in order to ease their burden during this tough year, where senior citizens may often feel restricted, depleted, and even powerless,” Dimagiba said. (PNA)
