ID for ‘junior citizens’ not a discount card —SCEW Club

The identification cards issued to members of the Senior Citizen and Elderly Welfare Club of the Philippines (SCEW) are not meant to be used as discount cards, the organization said on Wednesday.

"Hindi po discount card 'yan. Mali po 'yun," said Restituto Perez Jr., national president of the SCEW Club, said in a report by Tina Panganiban-Perez on GMA's 24 Oras on Wednesday.

Perez made the statement after an individual bragged on social media about the senior citizen's discount she received at a fast food restaurant by presenting a SCEW card, even though she was not yet 60 years old.

While SCEW advocates the provision of similar privileges for its younger members—"junior citizens"—in the 40–59 age range,  the SCEW card only entitles its holders to livelihood, medical, and burial assistance.

Perez said that the SCEW Club is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and already has 100,000 members.

Each member has to pay a lifetime membership fee of P300.

"Wala kaming pera talaga eh. Ang amin ngayong umiikot, galing doon sa lifetime membership. Ibig sabihin, pag nag-member ka sa amin, meron kang lifetime membership na babayaran sa amin," he said.

Perez also denied that they have a hand in the social media posts circulating in the internet regarding supposed discounts for SCEW card holders.

Based on the Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, only those aged 60 years and above shall be entitled to the 20-percent senior citizens' discount.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is already investigating reports of SCEW booklets that are allegedly being sold for P350.

"'Yung DTI ginamit unofficially. Walang permission sa amin. So, on that basis, talagang meron kaming ipa-file sa kanila after itong mga investigation," Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

"Mag-prepare sila dahil talagang hahabulin namin sila," he added.

It also urged the SEC to launch a probe into the SCEW Club.

Perez, on the other hand, said that it is a legitimate organization.

"Hindi po scam ito. Ito po ay legit," he said. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News