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WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 9257, otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003” and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), provided for a twenty percent (20%) Senior Citizens’ Discount from all establishment relative to the utilization of services in hotels and similar lodging establishments,  restaurants and recreation centers, and purchase of medicines in all establishments for the exclusive use and enjoyment of senior citizens;

WHEREAS, Section 4, Article 7, Rule V of the IRR, states that the 20% discount shall apply, regardless of the amount, to all prices of goods and services offered to the general public of the amount purchased from all establishments covered by the law regardless of their classification;

WHEREAS, the exclusive use and enjoyment of the senior citizens is the only requirement intended by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in drafting the IRR of RA 9257 on the availment of the 20% discount in restaurants and similar eating establishments;

WHEREAS, the Department of Trade and Industry issued an opinion dated 05 February 2007 confirming that RA 9257 did not distinguish the mode of payment by which senior citizens may avail of the 20% discount;
 
WHEREAS, during the Public Consultation on the Consolidated Purchase Booklet of the DTI and the Department of Agriculture, retailers, grocery and supermarket owners and senior citizens group agreed to allow credit card payments for purchase of basic necessities and prime commodities subject to the 5% discount for a total value of above 650;

WHEREAS, the DTI issued a revised Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in September 2007 reiterating that a credit card may be used in purchasing prescription drugs and medicines, but purchase of basic necessities and prime commodities with a total value of  P650 or less should be paid in cash;

WHEREFORE, foregoing premises considered, the Board RESOLVES, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that :

1. Senior Citizens availing of the discount should be allowed to purchase in either cash or through credit card;
2. Credit card payments is allowed for purchasing drugs and medicines entitled to the 20% discount;
3. To avail of the 5% special discount for the prime commodities and basic necessities, credit card payments shall be allowed for a total value of above P650, but for a total value of P650 or less, payment should be made in cash;
4. Credit card payments shall be allowed for the purchase of food, drinks and other consumable items entitled to the 20% discount from restaurants and similar establishments where it is applicable, as when credit card facility/machine is available and where store policies allow for such payment in specific transactions.

Adopted: 26 March 2009

(SGD) ALICIA R. BALA
NCMB Alternate Chairperson
Undersecretary for Policy and Programs Group
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

(SGD) ENCARNACION G. BLANCO
Vice-Chairman
Assistant Secretary
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)

(SGD) PAULYN JEAN ROSELL-UBIAL, MD.
NCMB Member
Assistant Secretary
Department of Health (DOH)

(SGD) TERESITA R. DOMINGO
Member
Assistant Secretary
Department of Justice (DOJ)

(SGD) JOSE P. ORDONEZ,  JR.
Member
National Secretary
Federation of Senior Citizens of the Philippines (FSCAP)

(SGD) FRANSISKUS KUPANG
Member
Executive Director
Coalition of the Service for the Elderly (COSE)

(SGD) COL. EMMANUEL V. DE OCAMPO, AFP (RET.)
Member
President
Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP)

(SGD) FELIPE HIDALGO JR.
NCMB Member
Association of Retired Postal and Senior Citizens, Inc. (ARPES)

(SGD) SR. NIEVA MANZANO, DC
Member
Executive Director
Louise de Marillac Foundation (LDMF)