DSWD backs senior discount for online transactions

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) supports moves to provide discounts for online transactions of senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

In a statement, it stressed that as part of the vulnerable sector, senior citizens and PWDs are entitled to receive discounts, as listed among their benefits under Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 and RA 10754 or the “Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability.”

The DSWD said providing online discounts will be beneficial to and convenient for these sectors, considering their mobility is restricted due to their inclusion in the vulnerable groups who are considered high risk for COVID-19 infections.

It added that it is working with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other agencies to discuss the draft guidelines on online purchases for seniors and PWDs.

The move came after a consumer group, Laban Konsyumer, filed a complaint against the DSWD and the DTI before the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) for inaction and failure to comply with earlier commitments to come up with draft guidelines for online discounts for seniors and PWDs.

Victorio Dimagiba, Laban Konsyumer president, recently told Philstar.com that the DSWD and DTI were merely paying lip service to their pledges on crafting the guidelines for RA 9994.

The group asked DSWD executive Wilma Naviamos in a letter in October last year to urge the department to come up with guidelines that will allow seniors and PWDs to avail of the discounts and benefits on their e-commerce purchases.

The DSWD, in their press release yesterday, vowed to continue to uphold the interest and welfare of senior citizens and PWDs, especially amid the ongoing health crisis.