Rep Ferdinand Romualdez files HB 16 for senior citizens, PWDs discount

Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, along with Tingog party-list Reps. Andrew Julian Romualdez and Jude Acidre, has filed House Bill No. 16 to ensure that senior citizens and persons with disabilities receive a 20% discount and 12% Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption on top of any promotional offers from stores.

Currently, many establishments do not apply these discounts if products or services are already discounted during promotions.

The bill aims to support the government's policy of promoting a just social order and ensuring national prosperity by making essential programs accessible to seniors and PWDs.

According to Romualdez, this is meant to end 'usual quarrels' between businesses and senior citizens and PWDs on the correct interpretation of the law.

The proposed measure clarifies that the discount granted to senior citizens and persons with disabilities shall be in addition to any prevailing promotional offers or discounts extended by business establishments without requiring presentation of booklets for procurement of goods.

To balance interests, the bill also provides that input tax attributable to VAT-exempt sales to seniors and PWDs will be treated as part of deductible expenses under Section 34 of the National Internal Revenue Code.