Bill seeks 30% discount for senior citizens with disabilities
MANILA, Philippines — Senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) are both entitled to a 20% discount on goods and services. But should those who belong to both groups receive a higher rate?
For Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes (Senior Citizens Party-list), it is only fair to give them a higher discount rate. In a statement on Thursday, November 6, the lawmaker said raising the discount for seniors who are also PWDs to 30% is necessary, given the rising cost of living in the country.
“[I]nflation, higher loan interest rates and peso depreciation have reduced the purchasing power of the peso. Note also that many seniors are not PWDs and are healthy, so the 30% discount will apply only to some seniors — those who are also PWDs,” Ordanes said.
Filed in October, House Bill 5189 seeks to institutionalize a 30% discount for senior citizens with disabilities. To avail of it, they would need to present both their senior citizen and PWD identification cards.
The proposed measure defines disability as any physical or mental impairment that significantly affects an individual’s psychological, physiological, or anatomical ability to perform everyday activities. A senior citizen, meanwhile, is defined as anyone aged 610 and above.
While discounts may be perceived as lower profits, Ordanes said the proposed discount hike would actually benefit businesses. He explained that the discounts they shoulder are considered as deductible expenses that reduce their taxable income.
“So, I urge businesses and their employees not to look at seniors as bad for business or burdens because of their discounts. Each senior is a paying customer that deserves proper customer service and not discrimination,” the lawmaker added.
He clarified, however, that the discount would not extend to a senior citizen’s companion or family members when a senior citizen with a disability makes a purchase.
For instance, when dining at restaurants, companions must pay the full amount unless they are also senior citizens, PWDs, or senior citizens with disabilities.
This is actually a way to bring in more paying customers to an establishment, Ordanes said.
The proposal also seeks to retain the current VAT exemption for senior citizens and the income tax exemption for those earning a minimum wage.
Ordanes said he would support any proposal to expand tax exemptions for workers’ benefits, including exempting bank deposits worth P5,000 from the final tax on interest income.
“Tax exemptions mean additional personal disposable income for wage earners and the dependents, including seniors in their households,” he added.
The 30% discount for senior citizens with disabilities would cover medicines, medical devices and services such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, prosthetics, artificial bone replacements, walkers, crutches, wheelchairs and geriatric diapers.
It would also apply to doctors’ professional fees, home healthcare, transportation, accommodations and entertainment venues like cinemas.
Establishments that fail to honor the discount could face imprisonment and a fine of up to P100,000 for the first offense and possibly higher fines in subsequent violations.
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