Senior citizens, PWDs can start enjoying P500 increased discount on groceries this March
Senior citizens and Persons with Disabilities (PWD) are set to enjoy bigger discounts on their groceries, with the government increasing the amount to P500 per month this March.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Feb. 28, announced that the discount increase will grant senior citizens and PWDs with discount on groceries and prime commodities of P125 per week or P500 per month.
The increase is almost twice the current discount, which is P65 per week or P260 per month.
Romualdez said that it will be implemented in March based on the joint circular issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture, and Deparment of Energy.
The circular was released following his meeting with DTI Undersecretary Carolina Sanchez and other officials on Tuesday night. It likewise comes after officials were urged by the House committee on senior citizens, persons with disabilities and ways and means to increase the discount because of food inflation.
With the proposed increase, House ways and means chair Rep. Joey Salceda said that senior citizens and PWDs should be able to avail of around P126.31 discount weekly.
According to Romualdez, the P500 monthly discount only covers basic goods and prime commodities, such as rice, bread, meat, fish, chicken, eggs, cooking oil, vegetables and fruits. Fresh and processed milk, except medical grade milk, are also included.
Also on the list are manufactured goods, like processed meat, sardines and corned beef, except from premium brands.
In addition, senior citizens and PWDs can avail of additional discounts on basic construction supplies and electrical supplies.