Senior citizens wait for 'real discount' on medicine price

MANILA, Philippines - The 20 percent Senior Citizen Discount on purchases of medicine is rendered nearly inutile by the 12 percent VAT. The earnest appeal of the 6.5 million elderly is to exempt them from VAT on the medicine they buy.

Now that the House of Representatives has responded by approving a bill last November 2008, granting such VAT exemption, it is now incumbent upon the Senate to likewise sponsor and approve a similar bill.

The Coalition of Associations of Senior Citizens in the Philippines, Inc. therefore strongly urge the Senate to fast track the passage of a bill exempting senior citizens from the 12 percent VAT on medicine purchased. With the approval of the bill, it can be truly said that Congress has the best intention to improve the life and well-being of the senior citizens of the land. — Atty. GODOFREDO V. ARQUIZA, National President, Coalition of Association of Senior Citizens in the Phils., 1881 C.M. Recto Ave., Sampaloc, Manila; Atty. DAVID L. KHO, Trustee/Adviser, Ang Tinig ng Senior Citizens ng Pilipinas, Inc., 35 Quezon Ave., Quezon City