Denied discounts to be probed
HOUSE Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday called for an investigation on enterprises allegedly not providing discounts to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“If there are several instances of the improper grant of these privileges and benefits, it becomes the common practice, so it cannot remain unchecked,” Mr. Romualdez said in a statement.
He said that refusal to grant incentives to senior citizens and PWDs violate several laws, including the Expanded Senior Citizens Act (Republic Act No. 9994) and the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability (Republic Act No. 10754).
Mr. Romualdez cited a coffee shop chain reportedly limiting the 20% discount and 12% value-added tax to one food item and one drink for every of visit of a senior citizen or PWD.
Under Republic Act (RA) No. 9994, senior citizens are entitled to a 20% discount VAT exemption on the sale of goods and services from all establishments, as well as medicines and other services.
RA 10754 also mandates a 20% discount and VAT exemption for PWDs.
“Discounts granted to senior citizens and PWDs should not be limited in any way, for as long as they are for their use and personal consumption,” Mr. Romualdez said. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz