REPRESENTATIVE Joey Sarte Salceda (Albay, 2nd District) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman celebrated the approval of a substitute bill significantly expanding benefits for senior citizens.
The bill, which consolidates numerous existing proposals, notably aims to permanently eliminate the requirement for senior citizens to present identification booklets to avail of discounts.
Salceda emphasized the importance of enshrining this change into law, stating, “I insisted that the removal of the booklet requirement for senior discounts be institutionalized in the proposed bill. This prevents future administrations from reversing this progress.”
The comprehensive bill goes beyond the booklet issue, introducing several new benefits. A key provision is a ₱2,000 annual cap on tollway discounts for senior citizens using expressways. This measure aims to provide substantial savings while mitigating potential abuse.
Further enhancements include extending the 20% senior citizen discount to transportation network vehicle services (TNVS) such as Grab and Angkas. The bill also proposes increasing the water and power utility discount from 5% to 15%, applying to consumers using up to 200 kWh instead of the current 100 kWh limit. Online purchases will also be included under the 20% discount scheme.
To alleviate the financial burden on businesses, the bill allows them to deduct the cost of VAT discounts from their gross income, thus sharing the cost between consumers and the government.
Salceda expressed confidence in the bill’s passage through Congress, highlighting its consensus nature and extensive consultation process. He believes its approval will significantly improve the lives of senior citizens across the Philippines.
metrosundaily
