Councilor Defends Senior’s 20% Discount, to File Charges vs Establishments

Cebu City Councilor Gerardo “Gerry” Carillo has threatend to file criminal charges against any establishments that will not give 20 percent discounts to purchases made by the senior citizens.

Carillo, chairman of the City Council’s committee on social services, said his office had received several complaints from the senior citizens against business establishments that ignore the provisions of Republic Act 9994.

The city legislator explained that the Expanded Senior Citizens Act provides that senior citizens shall be entitled to the grant of 20 percent discount and exemption from the value added tax on the sale of the goods and services from all establishments.

“If dili g’yud sila motuman, very willing kaayo mi nga mo-file og case against them. Then posible pa nga ma-cancel ang ilang business permit,” Carillo told the reporters.

The City Council last Wednesday passed a resolution sponsored by Carillo reminding owners of business establishments to comply with their obligation in giving 20 percent discount to the senior citizens.

Based on the complaints from the senior citizens many business establishments in Cebu City are not respecting the rights of the senior citizens by not giving them discounts.

There were other business establishments that marked up their prices to customers who are senior citizens so that the same price they would get even if it’s already discounted.

The City Council had requested the officials of the Barangay Senior Citizens Councils to monitor and check the pharmacies in their respective jurisdiction while other government agencies are also reminded to keep check, watch and help in implementing the law.

Business establishments will not lose if they grant 20 percent discounts to senior citizens because the amount will be considered as their tax credits and it will be deducted from their tax payment to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).