City council asks GMA to sign bill for senior citizens
THE Dagupan City council has passed a resolution asking President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to fulfill her commitment to sign the bill approved by the Senate restoring the 20 percent discount given senior citizens in their purchase of medicines, goods and services.
Councilor Alfredo Quinto Jr., chair of the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), said Senate Bill No. 3561 authored by Senator Pia Cayetano will automatically exclude the 12 percent Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT) from the 20 percent discount given the senior citizens.
Quinto said this means that, if signed into law, it will be a big boon to all senior citizens as it will allow them to enjoy the full 20 per cent discount.
Senior citizens have complained that the imposition of the EVAT greatly reduced their benefit as mandate by law.
The discount given under the Senior Citizens Act cover purchases in drug stores, groceries, restaurants, among hospitals among others establishments.
At the same time, Quinto said the city council reminded establishments of City Ordinance No. 1923 that requires them to open express lanes for senior citizens, pregnant women and people with disabilities.
He noted that all branches of the City Supermarket Inc., the Dagupan Electric Corporation and the One-Stop-Business Shop of the Dagupan City government were the first to comply with the ordinance.
Violators of the ordinance will be fined P3,000 for the first offense, P5,000 for the second offense and revocation of permit for the third offense.—LM
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