House okays discounts in water, electric bills for seniors
A measure that exempts senior citizens from paying Value Added Tax (VAT) and provides them higher discount on their monthly electricity and water bills has been approved in the House of Representatives.
With a vote of 204 yes, no negative and abstention, the House Bill 10568 is approved on third and final reading.
The said bill seeks to amend Republic Act 7432 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.
The discount on electricity and water bill was adjusted to 10 percent from the previous 5 percent.
Under the measure, senior citizen whose monthly consumption does not exceed 150kwh of electricity and 30 cubic meters of water, will be given the 10 percent discount. The utilities should be registered under the name of the seniors.
The bill likewise grants the privilege per households regardless of the number of senior citizens residing therein, and the registered seniors continue to live within the households address.
The measure was already transmitted to the Senate for its deliberations.
