Respecting the Senior Citizens of the Philippines
“Dura lex Sed lex”. The law may be harsh but it is the law.
In the Philippines, there exists a law granting a number of benefits to people upon reaching the age of 60. Republic Act 9257, known as the Senior Citizens Act, signed into law on 2004, specifies among others, a 20% discount on food and beverages, medical, dental, transportation and many other products and services to holders of the Senior Citizens Cards.
However, a number of came out within since its implementation because a number of establishments have been reported to adamantly refuse to provide the benefits in part or in full. A number of senior citizens have even refused to avail of the Senior Citizens Card claiming that the refusals to provide them with the benefits have caused public spats and embarrassments because it made them look like beggars.
Every senior citizen in the world deserves some slack. They have worked so hard and paid their dues to society that now, it is the society's turn to serve them. However, some businesses, because of low margins and/or greed totally refuse to comply with the law or have drafted internal regulations undermining it.
However, the senior citizens are like soldiers who refuse to die or fade away. Some of them have united and has started to fight back.
Looking at the provisions of the law, penalties for violations of the law are as follows:
- P50,000~100,000 and imprisonment of 6 months to 2 years for the first violation.
- P100,000~P200,000 and imprisonment of 2 ~ 6 years.
The law, right or wrong, is the law. Until it is repealed, there is nothing we can do but give to Ceasar what belongs to him.
How about Americans and others for all over the world who are over 60 years old and have been told that they can’t have a “Senior Discount card” Because we are not Philippines? We who have retired here add much money to the local economey here,
Many in the local American Legion do not understand this when all people in the USA about reaching that age can receive a discount anywhere.. And this encludes all Philippines living in the USA.. Please reply thank WRMoore
Hey Wesley,
I like your comment.
People of all races, who are in the Philippines, in my opinion, should receive the same discounts. What you probably need is some kind of a group that will help you advocate this matter.
You can probably start a blog that will voice your cause and follow it up by asking different associations like your local chapter of the US Chamber of Commerce or any business group.
Better yet, you can start by writing an article which I can publish in this site.
In addition, Perhaps, all the associations of foreigners in the Philippines can band together and voice this out, in the same manner that they make their opinions heard regarding business concerns in the Philippines.
Why is it that the government is not giving concern in prosecuting those local government units that don’t give the one (1%) percent share of the older persons (OPs) and persons with disability (PWD) from their annual internal revenue allotment. Section 32 of General Appropriation Act (GAA)provides for a 1% budget for programs and services of POs and PWDs.
Every time senior citizens asked from their respective mayors of a funding for certain projects, especially construction of senior citizens center as required by RA 7876 the response is always “NO AVAILABLE FUNDS”.
Will our PRESIDENT GMA look into the misappropriation of the share of the senior citizens and persons with disability. Please give what is due to the POs and PWDs.
indeed society’s parents deserves the benefit! can we all just imagine their contribution to the society…to the world even. like jump starters or chains connecting what was developed, made in the past to present. otherwise, there will be no link and where does that leve us right? but realistically, for a business to operate, we need funds to sustain the economy … employment…livelihood…living conditions of the “common tao”. most products are priced according to affordability and profitability - meaning a price that a “common tao” can afford. Beverage for instance are only marked up to 5% - 10% from the wholesale price… if 20% is taken off, where do we pull the funds for the operating expense of an F&B company? in our case, costing is done this way:
Beverage Cost - 18.50
Selling Price - 28.00
Less - 5.60
22.40
Profit - 3.50
imagine?
i say they should repeal this stupid law. wherein it would clearly state that a senior citizen is entitled to 20% discount in fares, food, entertainment,etc, clearly and not be humiliated in a supermarket like for example SM, or others…wherein, the senior citizen has to wait because the cashier is checking if this or that food has 20% or not??? how stupid and cumbersome! when you say 20% discount then it applies to everything mentioned by law.
otherwise, this law and whoever made them should repeal it..
imagine, announcing: senior citizens;20% discount on, meat, wait a minute ,what kind of meat???ahh lamb chop,cannot be, cow’s meat, hmmm(cahsier looking at long list)…ok, next shrimp, hmm, small size,ok,oops big size, no discount….,milk, ahh is it made with what ,,oops caanot be,this kind,ok?( just giving you a scenario of how cumbersome and tedious this present law is>>>>>
please put up an office in every region to assist senior citizens with capabilities to find meaningful, rewarding and fulfilling jobs. this office’ main job is placement and matching qualifications, among others, with the needs and demands of the industry/employers.
i would just like to ask if a senior citizen ordered for his/her food and avail his/her 20% discount through his/her senior citizen discount card then after an hour he ordered again and wants to avail his 2nd discount of senior citizen, is that possible? or is that written in our law? can you help me out, thanks.
I am gathering all the senior citizen in our area, at Barangay San Isidro but don’t know how to register it to make it legal. Can you help ot guide me in this problem? We have a set of officers and start our activities but we want to be recognized by the government.
People who retire here from foreign countries that are 60 and over should get this discount. But no the philippines is a racist country. I know it happens all the time when I ask for my senior discount
The reason why some establishment not able to give senior a full discount is that the governement does not provide the full implementation from start to finish. Yes the president had already signed the bill stating a full 20% discount for seniority in “Papers” but the question is how?. Implementing new direction requires overall changes to its subsidiaries sector attach to it.
On the business side where will they get 20% discount without going bankrupt. Also the BIR has no direction to it yet.
And the government structure are full of loop holes.
” Our Government is a powerful monopolizing corporation, over the years they help destroy local market and continue to eradicate them as well by replacing local market with their very owned business venture which is funded by people taxes.”
I am an ex-pat living in the philippines and I have a seniorr card. Many times when I present my card they say I am not filipino. What a racist country. It works okay in fast food places but private businesses forget it.
I can see that the question of Expats 60 years of age and older availing of a Philippine senior citizen card remains a bit confusing. I have one but am shy to use it. So far, I have only used it at fast food eateries and the cinema. But I have learned that other businesses refuse to honor it if one is not a Philippine citizen. Here in Angeles City our American fun VFW and American Legion adamantly refuse to honor it. OK, fine. From what I can read Republic Act 9257 refers to “senior citizen” as any resident citizen of the Philippines at least sixty years old. I have lived in the Philippines for 28 years and hold a “permanent resident” visa. So, I am a 72 year old resident of the PI but what is the interpretation of citizen. One dictionary interpretation of “citizen” is a “resident of city or town”. I am certainly a resident of Angeles City. Now, it also writes that a citizen is one who is loyal to and is entitled to the protection of a government. As a legal permanent resident I am certainly loyal to the laws of the country in which I live and also hope the Philippine government will protect me while I am residing here. Does not every Filipino who goes to the United States expect the same thing? Any filipino who goes to the US, whether he is a citizen or not is subject to senior citizen discounts. So, I am not demanding anything, I am just confused, as are so many fellow expats that live here and contribute to the economy. If the proper agency issued me a senior citizen card, which it has, am I authorized to use it or not?
Sorry for you expats not getting your senior citizens discount. Filipinos are not racist. They are just plain ignorant and some uneducated. My son jokingly calls the place “third world” because of its inconveniences and idiosyncracies. Soon I will be retiring there and I’ll probably see you in the long line of seniors having an argument to get my discount!!! LOL…..
Hi, I am not a senior citizen yet but my husband is 66. In the US you do not have to have a certain card that will show you that you are a senior citizen, if the establishment is in doubt which they always go by your word, you can show your ID or driver lisence to show your age. they usually give discounts automatically in restaurants and if we eat together, usually I get the discount automatically especially when he pays the bill. Foreigners should be included in the senior citizen discounts since most of the foreigners money are spent in the Philippines when they live in this country. Also not to mention the Philippine government always asks for aid from the Foreign countries. Also, foreigners should be entitled to tax excemption since they are not supposed to pay taxes in the Philippines when they are not earning from P.I. as what the Mexicans and other Nationals are entitled when they shop in the US.
To who it may concern:
I just want to be clarified on matter about the discounts on transportation.On-line booking on air travel does not provide process on senior citizen discounting.In this regard is it possible to bring the booked ticket together with the corresponding supporting documents as a senior citizen so that we can avail of the discount granted to us by the law.
Thank you very much.
Miguel T. Sayat
OSCA ID No.- 31304
Pasig City
Hi,
My husband is a British citizen, 64 yrs. of age, and living more than 2 years in the Philippines. Does his ALIEN Card and passport all needed as requirements to apply a senior citizen card in the Philippnes?
Dear OSCA,
I stayed at the Shangrila Hotel in Boracay on a group rate for there were a number of us who check in due to a wedding. When I checked out, I presented my SeniorCard and ask for the 20% discount. After referring to their officials,they said that I am not enttled to a discount because they have given me the group discount. My contention is, group discount is for everybody. Seniors are entitled to a “”Seniors” discount on top of the discounts they give to everybody. Seniors are distinguised by law to enjoy a special privilage only afforded to Senior Citizens. They should also give a senior discount on top of the group discounts they gave. Also please let me know who we can call to complain if establishments violate this law.
i used a gift certificate to pay for my meal at outback, eastwood. according to them, they do not allow senior citizen discount if using gift certificate. i don’t understand how this can be justified.
Jimmy D! cONTACT ME! jANIE…LASVEGASJANIE@AOOL.COM
Well I hate to opo you bubble, but I hope you realize that this ultimatley means an increase in prices. Those who subsidize it inevitably will be the non senior citizens.
what is the hotline number where you can report establishments who violate this law?
Is it true that a senior citizen needs to be a member/senior citizen with card for one year before he can claim a burial benefit?
i have a small turo turo canteen and my food are very cheap i cannot apply 20% for senior citizen lugi na ako doon kahit 10% pa wla na akong kita what am i suppose to do?
to joe lo. U r not required to give a 20% discount for senior citizen. Ur cantee is exempted from the law unless it’s located inside mall. If it’s just an on street location, then ur ok as far as the law is concerned.
to eva a. king sorry but ur spouse is not qualified. He is an alien as u said. Only filipinos are qualified according to the law.
to miquel d. sayat. Yes. u need ur sr. card that’s all u need. If u have no card get one asap.
My question is, why would a town mayor and OSCA head issue a foreigner over 60 and a 11 yr. resident of Philippines with an asawa and children a card if they are not legal? Would the mayor and OSCA head be at fault if said person was to attempt to use such card? Curious!!!
i’m doing a study on senior citizens for my grad school thesis. can i please ask for help like an expert who can give me advise on my topic? and or can share information pertaining to this topic. thank you.
I will be conducting a study on senior citizens organizations in Pangasinan, Philippines as part of my Grad School thesis. I really hope that you can help me look for related literature and studies… Will you send me your abstract if you have any?
Big thanks in advance and God bless.