Complaints vs. discounts for senior citizens, PWDs rampant in Zambo

A disabled man dives into a dumpster in search of food in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines. (Photo by Al Jacinto)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The number of complaints from Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities - who were denied their 2o% discount under the Senior Citizens Acts and the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (Republic Act No. 7277) - continue to mount as more commercial establishments, especially restaurants, simply refused to follow the law.

Two disabled men wait for free government meals in this undated photo taken in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines. (Photo by Al Jacinto)

The Office of the Persons with Disabilities (OPWDs), which is under the Zamboanga City Social Welfare and Development Office, has been monitoring these complaints.

“We are getting reports from complainants and we will surely investigate all these complaints. The protection of the Senior Citizens and PWD consumers is our top priority,” said Rose Ann Suarez, from the OPWDs.

But the OPWDs – whose office is just a few square meters - are also understaffed to handle the complaints and their annual budget is too small to effectively address the gargantuan mission to ensure the Republic Act No. 7277 is not violated by erring establishments.

Many restaurants and even coffee shops here are capping the 20% discount and limiting it to one food item only.

Suarez said civilian volunteers make up most of the staff in the barangay center monitoring the implementation of the Republic Act No. 7277. “We have volunteers to help us in the barangay centers, but still we need more,” 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)