Question & AnswerQ&A (CAB Resolution NO. 24)
Republic Act No. 9257 is an Act granting additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens, amending Republic Act No. 7432, to maximize the contribution of senior citizens to nation building, grant benefits and special privileges, and for other purposes.
R.A. 9257 requires air carriers to grant senior citizens a twenty percent (20%) discount on air fares for domestic air travel.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) promulgated the IRR of R.A. 9257 on May 28, 2004.
A senior citizen or elderly person is any resident citizen of the Philippines who is at least sixty (60) years old.
Domestic air travel refers to air transport services provided by domestic air carriers within the Philippines.
Acceptable identification includes an ID issued by the city or municipal mayor or barangay captain, a passport, other documents establishing residency and age, and recognized IDs such as SSS, GSIS, Driver's License, Postal ID, PRC, or Office ID.
The senior citizen must present the identification at the time of the purchase of the airline ticket.
The 20% discount applies only to domestic air travel within the Philippines.
No, the discount applies only to the air fare and does not extend to lawful taxes and other fees and charges imposed in relation to domestic air travel.
Yes, the 20% discount shall be based on actual fares, including promotional fares and advance booking fares.
The Civil Aeronautics Board may inspect the books, premises, and operations of all domestic air carriers operating within the Philippines to ensure proper implementation of the discount mandate.
Violations of the guidelines shall be penalized in accordance with the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9257.
The guidelines shall take effect fifteen (15) days after their publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
The Board reserves the right to amend, repeal, or modify the guidelines to fully serve the objectives of R.A. 9257 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.
The 'Separability Clause' provides that the remaining sections or parts shall remain unaffected if any part is declared unconstitutional by a competent authority.