Senior citizens body urges supermarkets to enforce P500 monthly discount

The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) on Tuesday called on grocery stores and establishments to implement the P500 monthly discount for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) buying basic goods and prime commodities. 

In a public briefing, NCSC chairperson Franklin Quijano said that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has already issued a directive regarding the increased benefit which should take effect starting March. 

“Kailangan lang talaga i-disseminate natin ang impormasyon dahil may mga groceries na baka hindi pa nila alam,” he said. 

(We really need to disseminate the information because there might be groceries that do not know about it yet.)

Quijano also encouraged senior citizens complaining about the said discount to report to the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA).

“Hindi lang nila sa OSCA nila ipapadala, kundi i-copy-furnish ang National Commission of Senior Citizens nang sa ganon matulungan natin ang OSCA na tawagan natin ang mga alkalde at ang pansin ng mga ahensya at groceries,” he said. 

(They should also send a copy of their complaints to the NCSC so that we can help the OSCA call the local officials and get the attention of concerned agencies and groceries.) 

“Sa pamamagitan ng wide information dissemination, mapapasunod natin ang pagbigay ng benepisyo para sa mga senior citizens,” he added.

(Through wide information dissemination, we can urge them to give the apt benefits for senior citizens.) 

According to DTI Undersecretary Carolina Sanchez, the discounts cover only basic goods and prime commodities, or typical items consumed daily, such as rice, corn, bread, meat, fish, chicken, eggs, cooking oil, sugar, vegetables, fruits, onions, garlic, as well as fresh and processed milk, except medical-grade milk.

Also covered are manufactured goods, such as processed meat, sardines, and even corned beef, although the premium brands are not.

Senior citizens and PWDs also stand to enjoy additional discounts on basic construction supplies, like cement, hollow blocks, and electrical supplies, including light bulbs. 

Premium items, including non-essential foods such as cakes and pastries, are exempt from the additional discount. —LDF, GMA Integrated News