Basic goods exempted from seniors' 20% discount

BASIC necessities and prime commodities are not covered by the 20 percent discount for senior citizens, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said.

Instead, DSWD Regional Director Porfiria Bernardez said senior citizens are subject to special discount of five percent.

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The regional director echoed Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman's call to clarify issues of confusion about senior citizen's discounts.

The basic necessities are rice, corn, bread, fresh, dried and canned fish and other marine products, fresh pork, beef and poultry, meat, fresh eggs, fresh and processed milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, coffee, cooking oil, salt, laundry soap, and detergents.

The prime commodities include fresh fruits, flour, dried, processed and canned pork, beef and poultry, meat, dairy products not falling under basic necessities; noodles, onions, garlic.

All drugs not classified as essential by the Department of Health and other commodities, which may be classified by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture according to Republic Act 7581 or The Price Act, will also be exempt from the senior citizen discount.

The special discounts may be availed of only in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience and mini-convenience stores excluding sari-sari stores, wet market, "talipapa" and cooperatives.

"Senior citizens should always bring their purchase booklet when buying the goods," Soliman said in a statement forwarded to Sun.Star Baguio.

The booklet is distributed by the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (Osca) located in every city and municipality.

A senior citizen who cannot personally purchase basic necessities and prime commodities may designate a representative to transact on his or her behalf.

The authorized representative is required to present a valid government-issued identification card together with the Osca-issued identification card of the senior citizen and an authorization letter.

Soliman reiterated the 20 percent discount is given only for essential drugs or medicines, physicians and other healthcare professional's fees, which include dental services.

Actual fare for land transportation travel in public utility vehicles including air and sea travel, hotel or lodging accommodations and theater and concerts admission fees are also included in the discount.

Funeral and burial services for the death of senior citizens excluding obituary publication and the purchase of the memorial lot are also covered.

"Clothes and gasoline are not covered by both 20 percent and 5 percent discounts," Soliman added. (JM Agreda)