Senior citizen’s discount issue not DTI’s concern but OSCA — DTI

The Department of Trade and Industry has recently clarified that running after establishments that are not heeding the law on providing 20 percent discount to senior citizens is not the mandate of the DTI but the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs or OSCA, and National Senior Citizens Commission, which are being regulated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

"We clarify that the 20 percent discount for senior citizens and their value-added tax exception is within the mandate of OSCA and NCSC. The role of the DTI concerning senior citizens' discounts will be on the 5 percent special discount for basic necessities and prime commodities or BNPC if senior citizens are buying from supermarkets and groceries," said DTI's Consumer Protection Group spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles.

An online show last week lambasted the DTI, particularly Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, for allegedly not performing his duties to protect senior citizens against those establishments that are not providing the right discounts to the said vulnerable group.

However, Nograles said since the DTI is implementing a 'no wrong door policy', they religiously notify the OSCA and NCSC if they receive complaints from senior citizens.

"We refer those to OSCA in the respective LGUs to file such cases. We still accept and help senior citizens file appropriate complaints. The primary mandate of the DTI is only to ensure the 5 percent discount on the selling of BNPCs to senior citizens, but the 20 percent discount in pharmacies and other establishments, it's within the mandate of the OSCA and NCSC," Nograles explained.

Under R.A. 9994, elderly Filipinos aged 60 and above are entitled to a 20 percent discount and exempted from the value-added tax on applicable goods and services for their exclusive use, the privileges that apply to both cash and credit card payments.

Promos

On the other hand, if a particular item in supermarkets and groceries is in a promotional sale, there will be no double discount, meaning, only the 5 percent for BNPCs applies to senior citizens.

"But the senior citizen has the right to choose whether what is favorable to them, the 20 percent or the promotional sale. The supermarket cannot impose its option on what is best for the senior. Dapat kino-compute whatever is favorable to the senior citizen," according to Nograles.

For his part, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said that for the whole year of 2023, the DTI-CPG only received 136 senior citizen complaints, which are only a handful.

And to avail of discounts, either 5 percent for BNPCs or 20 percent to other establishments, the DTI said senior citizens should always bring with them their Senior Citizen Identification and their booklets.

"Also, the purchase is only limited to P1,300 and discounts can be avail to only four categories that are for personal and exclusive consumption of the senior citizen. Monetary penalties are imposed on establishments that do not give senior citizens discounts," said Nograles.