Various government agencies have issued a joint memorandum circular providing the guidelines for the online purchases on essential good and commodities of senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

JMC No. 1, Series of 2022, was signed on May 6, by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry, National Commission of Senior Citizens, National Council on Disability Affairs, Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Bureau of Internal Revenue.

It provides clear guidelines on the provision of the mandatory statutory benefits and privileges to senior citizens and PWDs for their purchases through online platforms and phone calls or SMS.

Under the new guidelines, senior citizens and PWDs may avail of the 20 percent discount on the purchase of basic goods like rice, bread, milk, water, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Likewise, included in the list of goods that they can purchase with discount are those considered prime commodities, such as veterinary products, poultry feeds, condiments, construction materials, batteries, electrical supplies, papers, soap, flour, fertilizer, pesticides, paper, and school supplies.

The JMC clarified, however, that senior citizens and PWDs can avail of the discount as long as the items do not exceed P1,300 per calendar week, in online and offline transactions, and without carryover of the unused amount.

Moreover, the said amount must be spent for the personal and exclusive consumption of a senior citizen and PWD, and that the abovementioned amount must be spent on at least four kinds of items of basic goods and prime commodities.

To avail of the discount, one must declare to the merchant, prior to placing orders, that he/she is a senior citizen or a PWD, and provide necessary documents, such as the scanned copy or screenshot of ID and the front and last page of the purchase booklet.

The same proof of discount entitlement should be presented upon the delivery of goods and orders.

With the JMC in place, all business establishments are urged to honor the privileges granted to senior citizens and PWDs by adopting the system or improving their existing system that ensures the 20 percent discount is given to them whenever they purchase goods or services whether online or through phone or mobile transactions.