SENIOR citizens and persons with disability (PWD) can avail themselves of a total of P500 monthly discount on groceries and other commodities next month, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said yesterday.
Romualdez said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) could grant additional discounts for the elderly and PWDs by March, which are currently capped at P260 per month.
“We’re working so that the usual P65 per week discount for senior citizens and PWDs may be increased to P125,” DTI Undersecretary Carolina Sanchez also said.
The DTI, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Energy will release a joint issuance on the additional discount, according to Sanchez.
Covered by the discounts are basic goods and prime commodities — or regular items consumed daily — such as rice, corn, bread, meat, fish, chicken, eggs, cooking oil, sugar, vegetables, fruits, onions, garlic, as well as fresh and processed milk, except medical grade milk.
Also covered by discounts are manufactured goods, such as processed meat, sardines, and corned beef.
Senior citizens and PWDs also enjoy additional discounts on basic construction supplies like cement, hollow blocks, and electrical supplies, including light bulbs.
Premium brands, as well as premium items, including non-essential food such as cakes and pastries, are exempted from the additional discount, according to Sanchez. (ABS-CBN News)
