THE House Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, together with the Committee on Senior Citizens chaired by Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes and the Special Committee on Persons with Disabilities chaired by Agusan del Sur Rep. Alfelito Bascug, on Tuesday approved the committee report on the motu proprio inquiry into the implementation gaps of various laws and policies that provide discounts, incentives and tax exemptions for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The three committees identified the 1) lack of awareness about discounts and privileges; 2) technological barriers to using online transactions for discounts; 3) inconsistent implementation practices; 4) low discount rates on essential purchases; and 5) cumbersome purchase booklet requirements as some of the challenges that prevent seniors and PWDs from availing the full benefits they are entitled to under Republic Act 7432, the law maximizing the contribution of senior citizens to nation building, and RA 7277 or the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons” as amended.
The report also noted the proliferation of fake IDs, lack of awareness of discount laws and regulations, and lack of standardization in discount offers, access criteria, and disability status documentation as additional challenges to the compliance of business establishments to the said laws.
Compounding the issue was the lack of the proper training and resources to manage complaints on the part of implementing agencies such as the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).
It was pointed out that National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) lacks personnel and budget to implement discounts and privileges and the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) can only verify PWD IDs against their database and cannot address fake IDs.
To better understand and implement senior and PWD benefits, the joint panel also recommended dynamic information and educational initiatives which include improved business website and mobile application user experience.
Other legislative remedies included harmonizing PWDs and senior citizen benefits, clarifying discount eligibility during promotional sales, providing senior citizen and PWD programs and projects using the National Tax Allotment (NTA), and converting the NCDA into a commission with adequate implementation and enforcement.
Salceda noted that the appropriate bills shall be filed Tuesday afternoon pursuant to the committee report’s recommendation for remedial legislation.
