MALATE, MANILA– Ensuring that rights and privileges’ of person with disability (PWD) and senior citizen sectors are followed, different national government agencies gathered for the Regional Council on Disability Affairs (RCDA) meeting, Wednesday and for Regional Inter-agency Committee for Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens (RIAC-PPASC) quarterly meeting, Thursday in the DSWD MiMaroPa regional office.

RCDA agency members propose of passing a resolution which will create four sub-committees of RCDA. According to the said resolution, the respective chairpersons will have a more focused monitoring in the implementation of PWDs laws, programs and activities.

Proposed sub-committees are: (1) Accessibility, Public Transports, Information Communication to be chaired by Department of Public Works and Highways, (2) Employment, Training and Livelihood to be chaired by Department of Labor and Employment, (3) Social Protection to be chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and (4) Advocacy to be chaired by the  Philippine Information Agency. This will be reflected also at the provincial and municipal level.

On the other hand,  RIAC-PPASC members to intensify the information drive and monitoring of Republic Act 9994 also known as Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010  which grants additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens.

According to law, senior citizens are entitled to 20% discount in purchasing of goods and services from all establishments. This includes (a) on buying of medicines, (b) professional fees of physicians in all hospitals, (c) medical and dental services, (d) fares, (e) hotels/ restaurants and similar establishments services; (f) in theaters, cinema houses, concert halls and other recreation centers, and (g) funeral and burial services.

“Establishments proven to violate RA 9994 will be penalized with a fine ranging from php50,000.00 to php200.000.00 with an imprisonment ranging from two years to six years depending on the occurrence of the violation,” Focal Person for senior citizens, Maricel dela Vega said.

Senior citizens who experienced refusal on the 20% discount may report to the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) at the municipal or city level.###