Probe app-based food delivery services not honoring seniors discount — solon

(FILE) Food delivery workers continue to provide service despite the community quarantine declared by the Philippine government during the COVID-19 coronavirus lockdown in Manila on March 20, 2020. (Photo by Maria TAN / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — A House leader wants an investigation into the alleged failure of some app-based food delivery services to honor the 20 percent discount granted by law to senior citizens.

In filing House Resolution No. 1626, Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera said there is an “increasing number of complaints from senior citizens who could not avail of the 20-percent discount mandated by law for food deliveries using applications like Food Panda and Grab, among others.”

“The money equivalent to the 20 percent discount of the senior citizens may be utilized for the medicine and other maintenance expenses as well as other necessities,” Herrera said in a statement.

Republic Act No. 9944 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 provides that any resident citizen of the Philippines at least 60 years old is entitled to a 20-percent discount and is exempted from value-added tax on applicable goods and services for their exclusive use.

Herrera noted that Section 3(g) of the law specifically provides that “for delivery orders, the 20 percent discount shall likewise apply subject to certain conditions, i.e. senior citizen ID card number must be given while making the order over the telephone.”

This covers food deliveries made through Food Panda, Grab, and other similar applications, said the lawmaker.

Herrera said that providers of food delivery services can include the appropriate discounts into the account holder’s profile to allow senior citizens to avail of their discount.

/MUF