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DOTC AND ATTACHED AGENCIES ISSUE GUIDELINES TO IMPLEMENT 20% SENIOR CITIZENS DISCOUNT

On 19 May 2008, in compliance with Section 11 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9257, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza issued Department Order No. 2008-22, directing all heads of sectoral offices and attached agencies to issue the necessary guidelines, rules and regulations to ensure that senior citizens enjoy their discount privileges in all domestic transport systems. In addition, on 24 November 2008, DOTC Department Order No. 2008-48 was issued, constituting a Technical Working Group/Steering Committee tasked to draft the appropriate guidelines for the implementation of RA 9257, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act in all transport systems.

The DOTC also furnished the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board (NCMB) Secretariat copies of transport systems guidelines on the senior citizens discount issued by at least three (3) attached agencies: the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Metrostar Express operating the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

LATEST NCMB DIALOGUES LEAD TO POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN RA 9257 IMPLEMENTATION

Once again, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as chair of the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board (NCMB) held several special meetings with different stakeholders and concerned organizations this first quarter of 2009 to further facilitate the effective implementation of Republic Act No. 9257, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003. In February and March, the NCMB Secretariat organized several dialogues with representatives of the Drug Stores Association of the Philippines (DSAP), the Quick-Service Restaurants (QSR) League, and members of the Philippine Mortuary Association (PMA) to address the issues and concerns that have come up in relation to the senior citizens’ discount privileges under RA 9257. Common problems raised by these different industries and business establishments involve gaps in the law, including difficulties in the application of the tax deduction scheme vs. tax credit, as well as the computation of the 12% EVAT and the 20% senior citizens discount.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 30 June 2009 )

THREE NEW GUIDELINES ON SENIOR CITIZENS DISCOUNT PRIVILEGES APPROVED

After a series of special meetings and dialogues with representatives of different industries and business establishments in February, three (3) National Coordinating and Monitoring Board (NCMB) Resolutions were approved during the 1^st Quarterly Meeting of the NCMB last 26 March 2009 at the DSWD Central Office Auditorium.

The NCMB Resolution further clarifying drugs and medicine purchases by senior citizens reiterated provisions of Republic Act No. 9257, its Implementing Rules and Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order No. 177, Series of 2004. It was an offshoot of NCMB Resolution No. 1-2008, Series of 2008, which enjoins hospitals and similar medical facilities to post the medical benefits and health privileges of senior citizens under RA 9257 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act. Stated in NCMB Resolution 2-2009, Series of 2009, are current restrictions being imposed by some drugstores and pharmacies and which have been categorically declared as violative of the senior citizens law.