Hearings set on higher senior, PWD discounts

MANILA, Philippines — The government is set to hold public consultations this week on the rules for the plan to raise the monthly discount cap on basic necessities and prime commodities for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to P500, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

In a notice, the DTI said public consultations will be conducted today with government agencies, consumers and consumer organizations on the draft Joint Administrative Order (JAO) covering the planned increase in the discount cap on basic goods for senior citizens and PWDs.

There will also be public consultations with businesses on the draft JAO tomorrow.

Trade Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles told reporters the JAO was issued by the DTI, Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Energy (DOE).

Senior citizens and PWDs currently enjoy a five percent special discount on basic necessities and prime commodities amounting to a total of P260 per month or P65 per week.

Under the draft JAO, the total discount cap will be raised to P500 a month or P125 per week, without carryover of the unused amount.

Earlier, lawmakers directed the DTI and DA to raise the discount cap to take into account the current economic conditions and cost of living.

Nograles said the target is for the heads of the DTI, DA and DOE to sign and publish the JAO before the end of March.