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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House hearings on seniors, PWDs' perks lead to P112-B windfall 

House hearings on seniors, PWDs' perks lead to P112-B windfall 

Published Mar 19, 2024 03:40 pm

At A Glance

  • Some P112.6 billion worth of benefits to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) were achieved through the joint House hearings led by Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda.
  • The series of hearings on the seniors and PWDs' perks lasted two months.

FB_IMG_1669566866774.jpgAlbay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda (Facebook)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over P112 billion. 

That's the tangible, measurable benefits to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) that were achieved through the joint House hearings led by Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda the past two months. 

Salceda enumerated these milestones Tuesday, March 19, on the last day of his panel's hearings with the Committee on Senior Citizens and Special Committee on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) on the matter of perks for these sectors. 

“We were able to get Starbucks to do a 40 percent discount to compensate for misapplication of the standard discount. We got Grab and Angkas to improve ease of access to SC (senior citizens) and PWD discounts. We got Meralco (Manila Electric Company) to make applying for the discount on electric bills easier,” Salceda said. 

He added: “We got DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), DA (Department of Agriculture), and DOE (Department of Energy) to expand the SC and PWD discount on basic goods from P260 a month to P500 a month.” 

“Based on our calculations, as a result of increased compliance and the expansion of the discount on basic goods, the hearings alone will result in as much as P112.6 billion in more benefits for seniors and PWDs this year alone," the Bicolano said. 

"This does not account for the bills, yet," he said, referring to the substitute bills to House Bill (HB) Nos. 10061, 10062, and 10063. 

These measures are about enhancing the discount on the purchase of goods and services of senior citizens and PWDs, rationalizing the benefits and privileges of senior citizens and PWDs, and promoting the welfare of senior citizens and PWDs through the inclusion of senior citizens and PWD services in the eGov PH Super App. 

The numbered bills were all authored by Salceda. 

“From the date the Speaker [Martin Romualdez] instructed us to hold hearings, to the approval of the substitute bills, we finished our jobs in 60 days,” he said. 

“I congratulate my co-chairs, [Senior Citizens Party-list] Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes, and [Agusan del Sur 1st district] Rep. Alfel Bascug, for the very productive discussions. We have approved three bills today, clarifying that discounts apply even with promo prices, introducing the SC and PWD discount on parking, a 15 percent utilities discount for lifeline consumption, an additional deduction of 25 percent on labor expenses for PWD and SC, and free training programs for the government,” Salceda said.

 

Related Tags

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