Discounts to senior citizens

Egay Uy

I ATTENDED the “Negosyo, Konsumer, Atbp” forum hosted by the Provincial Office of the DTI last Friday.  Among the matters discussed was the discounts given to senior citizens.  I had to stand up to raise some points in favor of senior citizens.  Of course, that includes me.

A representative of one of the bigger grocery stores around raised the point that they no longer extend discounts to senior citizens who buy products on promo or whose prices are already discounted.  The reason given was that those products are already discounted.  Indeed, it is also allowed under RA 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act.

I believe something is missed here however. One factor that differentiates a senior citizen from the rest of the buyers is simply that he or she is a senior citizen to whom certain privileges are given by law.

A senior citizen is not charged VAT for purchases made of items covered by the exemption under RA 9994, and in most cases is granted a 20-percent discount off the price. Take note that the price which is the basis of the discounts is that which is the price that is also offered to the general public.

I find it incorrect that discounts for senior citizens are not made available in promo and discounted items.  The usual reason given is “Discounted na man gud na.”

Let me just emphasize that the discounted prices of promo items are also made available to the general public.  If the discount given to the senior citizens is denied simply because the prices of the items for sale are already discounted, then the differentiation between the general public and the senior citizens is negated.

Maybe our legislators should take a closer look at this.  The provision of RA 9994 that “In the purchase of goods and services which are on promotional discount, the senior citizen can avail of the promotional discount or the discount provided herein, whichever is higher” may need to be repealed because it practically removes the privilege granted to seniors and puts us on equal footing to the general public.

Just a thought.