Senators now see better implementation of 20% discount law for senior citizens

Senators Loren Legarda and Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. on Tuesday expressed optimism that the law providing 20% discounts for senior citizens will be  better implemented after the Department of Health's order ditching the requirement to present purchase booklets upon availing medicines.

"Malaking tulong sa mga lola at lolo at mga indigent senior citizens para sa maayos na pagpapatupad ng batas," Legarda said in a text message to reporters.

(This will be a great help for our indigent senior citizens and for better implementation of the law.)

Revilla also welcomed the DOH's latest administrative order, saying this will ease the burdens of the senior citizens.

"Bawas intindihin para sa ating mga seniors. Liban na kailangan pa nila sadyain ang pagkuha ng mga booklets, minsan kasi nakakalimutan nilang dalhin yan or nami-misplace kaya hindi nila minsan napapakinabangan yung discount. Because of this, our seniors can more easily avail of the benefits due them under," he said.

(This will lessen the burden of the senior citizens. Apart from requiring them to get their purchase booklets, most of the time they misplace or forget to bring their booklets, forcing them not to avail of the discounts due to them under the law.)

On Monday, Health Secretary Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa issued an administrative order which scrapped the requirement for senior citizens to present their purchase booklets to avail of the 20% discount on medicines and medical devices.

"The Department recognizes that requiring senior citizens to present purchase booklets during every transaction to avail the 20% discount in the purchase of medicines results in undue burden and difficulties," the latest AO read.

"There is a need to realign guidelines on implementing the 20% Senior Citizens' discount with statutory law, which does not require the use of a purchase booklet to avail the 20% discount on medicines," it added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News