THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are set to hold a stakeholders’ consultation meeting on the first week of July prior to the finalization of the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) that will provide discounts for the online transactions of senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs).
To prepare for the consultation meeting, DSWD is consolidating the comments of agencies and partners regarding the guidelines. In addition, the department is also seeking assistance from the DTI to identify the different groups of business establishments and consumer protection groups that may be invited to the consultation meeting.
Under the JAO or the “Guidelines On The Provision Of The Statutory Benefits And Privileges Of The Senior Citizens And Persons With Disabilities On Their Purchases Through Online (E-Commerce) And Phone Call/SMS,” it is hoped the statutory privileges granted to senior citizens and PWDs will be recognized by all establishments, business owners, and individual sellers, including those not registered with the DTI and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
The guidelines would also help correct the misconception that the observance of statutory privileges is limited to those that are only registered businesses.
The crafting of the JAO started in March based on the consultative effort of the DSWD, DTI, BIR, National Commission of Senior Citizens, National Council on Disability Affairs, Department of Health and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
The DSWD vows to continue to protect and promote the rights and interests of the vulnerable sector. Its collaboration with DTI and other agencies to finalize the JAO is a testament to this commitment.