Lapid seeks to expand water, electric bills discounts for SCs
SENATOR Manuel “Lito” Lapid has proposed a measure that seeks to expand the discount currently provided to senior citizens (SCs) for their water and electricity consumption and exempt their water and electricity bills from the Value Added Tax (VAT).
Under Senate Bill (SB) No. 2169, Lapid stated a minimum of 5% discount shall be granted to senior citizens on the first 150 kilowatt hours of electricity consumption, which is an increase of 50% from the previous 100-kilowatt hours of electricity consumption already being granted to senior citizens.
A minimum of 5% discount shall also be granted on the first 50 cubic meters of water consumption, an increase from the previous 30 cubic meters.
Lapid further proposed to exempt from the 12% VAT of the water and electricity bills of senior citizens, so long as the bill is under the name of the senior citizen.
Further, Lapid believes that the proposed measure would be “very beneficial” to senior citizens who have no income and are short on expenses for their food, medicine, and other basic necessities.
“Many senior citizens are poor and find it challenging to manage and budget their pensions, so it is only appropriate to provide and offer them with some relief through VAT exemption and an expanded coverage on the 5% discount on water and electricity consumption,” Lapid said.
According to the senator, this is also a way for society to show gratitude and support to senior citizens who made significant contributions to the country’s economy during their youth.
“Any form of aid, assistance, or support that we can give to senior citizens serves a meaningful gesture to convey our love, affection, and concern for their invaluable contributions to our society,” Lapid stated.
