Senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Philippines have collectively saved P12 billion through the 20-percent discount on essential goods, including medicines, according to Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, chair of the House committee on ways and means.
Salceda emphasized the importance of abolishing the booklet requirement, which previously hindered access to discounts. “Senior citizens often forget or lose these booklets, which denies them access to essential medicines,” he said in a PhilStar report. He credited the recent administrative order (AO) No. 2024-0017 by the Department of Health (DOH), which removed the booklet requirement, as a significant milestone.
The congressman also highlighted additional efforts to improve benefits for these sectors. Initiatives include expanding senior and PWD discounts on basic goods from P260 to P500 per month, enhancing accessibility to discounts on utilities, and negotiating with businesses like Grab and Starbucks for better discounts.
United Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay praised the DOH’s policy as an “early Christmas gift” for over 12 million senior citizens nationwide. She urged other government agencies to follow suit and address similar barriers to availing of benefits.
The efforts align with the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2020, aiming to ensure greater ease of access and support for the country’s aging and PWD populations.
