Implementing Rules on Senior Citizens' Discounts

Republic Act No. 9257 amends Republic Act No. 7432 and is known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003.
Section 4, paragraph (l) of R.A. 7432 as amended by Section 2 of R.A. 9257 authorizes special discounts in special programs for senior citizens on purchase of basic commodities, subject to guidelines issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
This Order is issued in accordance with Section 4, paragraph (l) of R.A. 7432 as amended by Section 2 of R.A. 9257, to provide special discounts on covered purchases under DA jurisdiction.

The legislative framework grants additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens through expanded programs, including special discounts for eligible purchases of basic commodities.

“Senior Citizen or Elderly” means any resident citizen of the Philippines at least sixty (60) years old.
“OSCA” means the Office for Senior Citizen Affairs established in cities and municipalities under the Office of the Mayor headed by a senior citizen.
“Retailer” means any person engaged in the business of selling consumer products directly to consumers, including supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience and mini-convenience stores and shops, but excluding sari-sari store, public and private wet markets, “talipapa” and cooperative stores.
“Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities” are defined as the following:
- Rice, except rice sold and retailed by the National Food Authority;
- Food grade corn and corn grits;
- Fresh fish and other marine products;
- Fresh chicken eggs;
- Fresh pork, beef, and poultry meat;
- Fresh vegetables including root crops;
- Fresh fruits;
- Onion and garlic.

The Order applies to senior citizens and retailers as defined under Section 2.
The discounts apply to covered basic necessities and prime commodities enumerated under Section 2(a).
The Order governs the manner senior citizens must present documentation and the manner purchases are recorded through a purchase booklet.

Every senior citizen shall enjoy a special discount of Five Percent (5%) of the regular retail price of basic necessities and prime commodities listed under Section 2(a).
The total amount of purchase covered by the discount shall not exceed Six Hundred Fifty Pesos (P650.00) per calendar week.
The unused amount cannot be carried over to the succeeding week.
The purchase covered by the discount shall be spent on at least four (4) kinds of items listed under Section 2(a).

To avail of the discount, a senior citizen must present a valid identification card issued by the OSCA of the city-municipality where the senior citizen resides.
If a retailer has reasonable doubt as to the identity of a senior citizen availing of the discount, the retailer may require the senior citizen to present any other government issued identification document, whether national or local.

A purchase booklet must be presented to the retailer every time a purchase of covered basic necessities and prime commodities is made.
The purchase booklet is distributed by the OSCA.
The purchase booklet must contain:
- the name of the senior citizen;
- the list of basic necessities and prime commodities under Section 2(a);
- the retailer name and address;
- the date of purchase; and
- the amount.

Retailers must provide a special express lane for senior citizens whenever practicable.
In the absence of a special express lane, priority must be given to senior citizens.

A senior citizen who cannot personally purchase covered items may appoint an authorized representative by written authority to transact with the retailer.
The authorized representative must present:
- a valid government issued identification document; and
- the OSCA-issued identification document of the concerned senior citizen; and
- an authorization letter.

Penal and administrative sanctions are governed by the sanctions provided under R.A. 9257.

The Order takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a national newspaper of general circulation.