Zamboanga PWD office to investigate ‘Chooks-to-Go’

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The local Office of the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) is set to investigate “Chooks-to-Go,” a chain of stores owned by Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc., selling roast chicken and processed meat for take-out after for allegedly violating Republic Act No. 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.

A PWD complained to the Office of the Persons with Disabilities that he bought roasted chickens from Chooks-to-Go” branch in Yubenco Mall in the village of Tetuan on Feb. 2 and showed his PWD card to avail of the 20% discount from the purchase.

But the sales staff said the company only gives out a 5% discount as per the policy of the Chooks-to-Go. He said PWDs were not even in their sales system but only holders of Senior Citizens cards, but nonetheless he offered the meager discount to the PWD.

The sales staff said they have received a lot of complaints from PWDs about the 5% discount they are offering, but cannot do anything because of the company’s order saying the roast chicken they are selling is considered “basic commodities” hence the meager discount.

At KCC Mall de Zamboanga branch of Chooks-to-Go also offers the same 5% discount.

Rose Ann Suarez, from the Office of the Persons with Disabilities which is under the Zamboanga City Social Welfare and Development Office, said they will investigate the complaint and will call the manager of the local Chooks-to-Go chain. “We will surely investigate this complaint. The protection of the PWD consumers is our top priority,” she said.

The Republic Act No. 7277 was further amended in March 2016 and under PWDs shall be entitled to: 

“(a) At least 20% discount and exemption from the value-added tax (VAT), if applicable, on the following sale of goods and services for the exclusive use and enjoyment or availment of the PWD:

“(1) On the fees and charges relative to the utilization of all services in hotels and similar lodging establishments; restaurants and recreation centers;

“(2) On admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses, concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other similar places of culture, leisure and amusement;

“(3) On the purchase of medicines in all drugstores;

“(4) On medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees such as, but not limited to, x-rays, computerized tomography scans and blood tests, and professional fees of attending doctors in all government facilities, subject to the guidelines to be issued by the Department of Health, in coordination with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation;

“(5) On medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees, and professional fees of attending doctors in all private hospitals and medical facilities, in accordance with the rules and regulations to be issued by the DOH, in coordination with the PhilHealth;

“(6) On fare for domestic air and sea travel;

“(7) On actual fare for land transportation travel such as, but not limited to, public utility buses or jeepneys, taxis, asian utility vehicles, shuttle services and public railways, including light Rail Transit, Metro Rail Transit and Philippine National Railways; among others.

Under the law, upon filing of an appropriate complaint, and after due notice and hearing, the proper authorities may also cause the cancellation or revocation of the business permit, permit to operate, franchise and other similar privileges granted to any business entity that fails to abide by the provisions of this Act. (Mindanao Examiner)