Senior citizens’ discount applies to online purchases too, NCSC reminds public

The National Commission of Senior Citizens on Thursday reminded the public that senior citizens and persons with disabilities may also avail their usual discounts when making online purchases.

According to Ivan Mayrina's report on "24 Oras," last year government agencies and the NCSC set out the discounts that seniors are entitled to via the law amending the Expanded Senior Citizens Act.

"At that time COVID eh, so there was so much need to support our industry but also to protect also and define the benefits of senior citizens. So it was passed and na-circularize 'yun," said NCSC Chair Franklin Quijano.

Senior citizens are entitled to a 20% discount for food, medicine, and public transportation, including airplane and ferry bookings.

They also get a 5% discount on basic necessities and prime commodities worth P1,300 per week. There is no limit to the 20% discount on medicine.

It is, however, quite a long and thorough process availing of discounts when ordering online. Before ordering, it is necessary to inform the purchasing merchant—whether it is a restaurant or pharmacy—that the buyer is a senior citizen and must send a screenshot or scanned copy of the senior citizen ID and prescription.

Upon delivery, the original copy of the ID must be presented to the delivery rider.

Some food delivery riders, however, said they have not yet encountered senior citizens who have used their discounts.

“Wala po, kailangan po talaga si customer mag-dine-in talaga sa mismong restaurant para makapag-avail ng discount pero pag online, wala,” said a rider.

The NCSC said it would communicate with the agencies.

"The law is very clear: all transactions involving basics, essentials. From food to medicine to groceries, pagka may nabibili diyan online then entitled siya under Republic Act 9994," Guijano added.

Republic Act 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens' Act of 2010, is an act granting additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens, amending Republic Act no. 7432, as amended, otherwise known as “an act to maximize the contribution of senior citizens to nation building, grant benefits and special privileges and for other purposes.” RA 11916, which lapsed into law in July 2022, further amended the law. — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News