According to the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), it was only in 2020 that they received complaints regarding PWD discounts not provided in online transactions.
“Dati totally wala sa online. Kasi they would rather go to the restaurant. At saka dati, hindi uso ‘yung third party delivery,” said Emerito Rojas, NCDA Executive Director.
In October, the Laban Consumer group also wrote to the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the NCDA to issue a clear law enforcement rule that gives discounts to seniors and PWDs, even if they buy online.
“Sana po ‘yung privilege sa batas ng mga senior citizen ay ma-avail din nila sa online shopping. Wala naman kaming hinihinging bagong batas. Batas na ‘yan. Entitlement na lang ang importante,” said Laban Konsyumer President Victor Dimagiba.
But according to the DSWD, they are already working with the DTI for the development of the rules.
“Nais pong ipabatid ng DSWD na makikipagtulungan ang ahensiya sa DTI upang mabalangkas ang panuntunan o guidelines hinggil sa mga usaping online transaction ng mga senior at PWD,” it said.
The DTI acknowledges that balancing PWDs and seniors’ interests and preventing the abuse of their privileges from online transactions is a challenge.
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Seniors, PWDs want guidelines for online transaction discounts
“‘Yung sa online ang napakahirap na gawan ng provision to avoid abuse, but we are certainly welcoming all suggestions on how we can make the guidelines really effective,” said DTI Chief Ramon Lopez.
NCDA has a call for third-party applications.
“Kung pinagkakatiwalaan nila ‘yung third-party na dalhin ‘yung pagkain, pagkatiwalaan din naman nilang ibigay ‘yung diskuwento,” said Rojas.
But DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo insisted that senior citizens should be given a discount – whether the transaction is online or offline.
“The Senior Citizens Act does not make any distinction between an online and an offline transaction. So senior citizens are really entitled to senior citizen discounts on all the items enumerated in the law,” said Castelo.
The target is to release the rules for giving senior citizens and PWD online transaction discounts before the end of 2020.