DSWD-CAR announces expanded seniors act 06-01-29

	NORDIS WEEKLY January 29, 2006
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DSWD-CAR announces expanded seniors act
BAGUIO CITY (Jan. 25) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) office here briefed the media about the expanded senior citizens act or the Republic Act (RA) 9257. The expanded act was from the amended RA 7432. According to the RA, the Filipino senior citizens are those aged 60 years and above. The seniors’ financial income is irrelevant to the approval or denial of benefits and privileges. The senior citizens identification card can be used to claim benefits. Their passport or any document that proves their age is also honored. The seniors are entitled to have 20% discount on merchandise and basic services. For the retail prices of basic commodities such as canned goods, milk, coffee, bread, sugar, cooking oil, meat products and laundry detergents, 5% discount is entitled to the seniors. However, the total weekly purchases must not exceed P650. The establishments include hotels, restaurants, funeral parlors, drugstores, hospitals, and other enterprises that dole out medical attention. Government facilities, including diagnostic and laboratory fees (X-rays, computerized tomography scans, blood tests, doctor’s professional fees) are free. Discounts from public transportation for land (public railways, skyways, jeepneys, buses, taxi and shuttle services) should be duly given; discounts from domestic air and sea travel; discounted admission fees for theaters, cinemas, concerts, circuses and other recreational centers. The educational assistance has also been opened to senior citizens who want to pursue postponed studies (high school, college, vocational or technical education) both in public and private institutions. Scholarships, aids, grants and subsidies could be also imparted to them. For utilities such as water, electricity and telephone for senior citizens centers are appropriated at least 50% discount. These centers include non-profit, non-stock residential care/group homes. All the discounts can be converted into tax deductions based on the net cost of the goods sold or services rendered. Businesses who violate the act shall be fined P50,000 to P100,000 and imprisonment of at least six months to two years for the first violation. For following violations, P100,000 to P200,000 will be the fine and serve two to six years in prison. Moreover, the violating establishments can be cancelled their business permits and other privileges granted to any other businesses. However, penalties for ‘abusive’ senior citizens can be fined ar least P5,000 to not more than P50,000 and imprisonment of at least six months. Complaints are welcome to the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) – DSWD in their respective vicinity. # Pink-JeanFangon Melegrito for NORDIS Post your comments, reactions to this article
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	NORDIS WEEKLY January 29, 2006
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
DSWD-CAR announces expanded seniors act
BAGUIO CITY (Jan. 25) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) office here briefed the media about the expanded senior citizens act or the Republic Act (RA) 9257. The expanded act was from the amended RA 7432. According to the RA, the Filipino senior citizens are those aged 60 years and above. The seniors’ financial income is irrelevant to the approval or denial of benefits and privileges. The senior citizens identification card can be used to claim benefits. Their passport or any document that proves their age is also honored. The seniors are entitled to have 20% discount on merchandise and basic services. For the retail prices of basic commodities such as canned goods, milk, coffee, bread, sugar, cooking oil, meat products and laundry detergents, 5% discount is entitled to the seniors. However, the total weekly purchases must not exceed P650. The establishments include hotels, restaurants, funeral parlors, drugstores, hospitals, and other enterprises that dole out medical attention. Government facilities, including diagnostic and laboratory fees (X-rays, computerized tomography scans, blood tests, doctor’s professional fees) are free. Discounts from public transportation for land (public railways, skyways, jeepneys, buses, taxi and shuttle services) should be duly given; discounts from domestic air and sea travel; discounted admission fees for theaters, cinemas, concerts, circuses and other recreational centers. The educational assistance has also been opened to senior citizens who want to pursue postponed studies (high school, college, vocational or technical education) both in public and private institutions. Scholarships, aids, grants and subsidies could be also imparted to them. For utilities such as water, electricity and telephone for senior citizens centers are appropriated at least 50% discount. These centers include non-profit, non-stock residential care/group homes. All the discounts can be converted into tax deductions based on the net cost of the goods sold or services rendered. Businesses who violate the act shall be fined P50,000 to P100,000 and imprisonment of at least six months to two years for the first violation. For following violations, P100,000 to P200,000 will be the fine and serve two to six years in prison. Moreover, the violating establishments can be cancelled their business permits and other privileges granted to any other businesses. However, penalties for ‘abusive’ senior citizens can be fined ar least P5,000 to not more than P50,000 and imprisonment of at least six months. Complaints are welcome to the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) – DSWD in their respective vicinity. # Pink-JeanFangon Melegrito for NORDIS Post your comments, reactions to this article
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