Romualdez seeks probe into establishments refusing to honor PWD, senior citizen discounts

Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday called for a congressional investigation on establishments that refuse to honor discounts provided by laws for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens.

Romualdez said discounts for PWDs and those aged 60 years old and above must be strictly observed as they are clearly provided under Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 and Republic Act 10754 or an Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of PWDs.

"Laws granting benefits to our senior citizens and PWDs should be strictly followed and implemented. And if there are several instances of the improper grant of these privileges and benefits, it becomes the common practice. So it cannot remain unchecked,” said Romualdez, one of the principal authors of RA 10754, in a statement.

"This is what we hope to achieve in this investigation, to clarify the law and correct all their misconceptions and wrong implementation," he added.

Romauldez cited the policy of a popular coffee shop which limits the 20% discount and 12% value added tax (VAT) exemptions for seniors and PWD to one food item and one drink per visit.

He also mentioned that Pasig City Prosecutors Office recently filed two cases against two officials of a hotel in Pasig City for supposedly declining to grant a 20% discount to a senior citizen. 

"Flagrant violations of the laws that grant benefits to our senior citizens and PWDs are trending topics on social media these past few months. It is high time that the House of Representatives review the implementation of these laws and find out if business establishments are complying with every provision," Romualdez said.

"Until our probe is completed, we urge local authorities and government agencies to step up and ensure the proper and effective implementation of discounts granted to seniors and PWDs across businesses and service providers in the country," he added.

Romualdez also urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) to ensure that the necessary laws are efficiently implemented. —Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA Integrated News