(MANILA BULLETIN)

“Ang booklet na yan ay talagang pahirap sa mga senior citizen (That booklet is a real burden for senior citizens).”

That's United Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay's position on the use of senior citizens’ discount booklets, which she wants to get rid of as a requirement to avail of the lawful senior citizen discount.

Based on Republic Act (RA) No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, these purchase booklets are so required becasue it allows the government to monitor and record the transactions of the elderly.

However, as technology continues to progress and develop, the purpose of these traditional, paper-based booklets seems to be passé.

“Why don’t we just make a registry na kung frequent yung senior citizen na bumibi diyan…I-register na lang ninyo (that if the senior citizen is a frequent buyer there…then you just register the person). That would be easier for the senior citizen kaysa irerequire ang (instead of requiring the) booklet,” said Magsaysay.

The lawmaker directed this appeal to Drugstores Association of the Philippines (DSAP), an organization composed of small and medium independent drug stores, during a motu proprio inquiry on Tuesday, Feb. 6, into the implementation of discounts and privileges for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and solo parents.

The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) shared the same stance with Magsaysay and recommended the creation of a database to replace the purchase booklets.

The data gathered in this database will then be shared to all merchants of drugs and medicines.

However, DSAP was quick to point out that not every drug store is ready for such developmen. It says some are still without a point-of-sale (POS) device that is used to process transactions.

Under existing law, senior citizens are entitled to a 20 percent discount and an exemption from the 12 percent value-added tax (VAT) in their purchase of certain goods and services.