Speaker Romualdez bats for higher discounts on groceries, food supplements for seniors, PWDs
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday called for increased discounts on groceries and food supplements for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“Seniors and PDWs are currently getting a far too modest discount of P65 on their weekly groceries. We need to increase this,” stated Speaker Romualdez.
For this purpose, he announced plans for the House of Representatives to convene a Technical Working Group this week to review the Senior Citizen’s Act to determine how much additional discounts should be provided for seniors and PWDs.
Speaker Romualdez noted that at present, seniors receive a 5% discount each week on groceries, capped at a total purchase value of P1,500, which translates to a measly discount of P65 per week.
“This amount is no longer appropriate in the current economic climate, given the high cost of living,” added Speaker Romualdez.
United Senior Citizen party-list Representative Milagros Magsaysay supported the Speaker’s proposal, saying that it is not only feasible but can also be easily implemented.
“Increasing the value of the grocery budget for seniors or PWDs to, say, P5,000 a week, would mean the mandated 5% discount would equate to P250,” explained Magsaysay.
Speaker Romualdez further emphasized that the discounts should not be limited to groceries but also extended to food supplements and vitamins for the elderly and PWDs.
“Many of our seniors and PWDs need to regularly purchase supplements or vitamins to maintain their health and strengthen their resistance to diseases, so it’s only fitting to include these in the discounted items as well,” stated the House leader.
Speaker Romualdez said the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda has confirmed that his proposal will be included in the TWG’s agenda in the coming days.
