Make portals, apps accessible to seniors, PWDs, firms told

MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers asked establishments on Tuesday to make it easier for seniors and persons with disabilities (PWDs) using their online portals and applications to avail themselves of the benefits they are entitled to under the law.

During a joint hearing by the House ways and means, and senior citizens committees, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda and Senior Citizens’ party list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes reminded establishments to display prominently on their platforms the option to access the 20-percent discount for seniors and PWDs.

This was after the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) submitted a position paper to the committees, which showed the over 150 complaints it received last year regarding the discount, mostly involving fast food restaurants, delivery apps and drug stores.

When Salceda and Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo tried to make bookings on the apps of some of the establishments mentioned in the complaints, they discovered that part of the problem was the difficulty of accessing the discount for seniors and PWDs.

READ: House panel to enjoin businesses to honor discounts for seniors, PWDs

READ: DSWD assists 260,000 PWDs in ‘cash-for-work’ program

“It exists, but it’s hidden,” Quimbo said. “You need to make it more visible especially for our seniors.”

Representatives from Watsons, one of the few establishments that made it to the hearing, said they have yet to see a copy of the NCDA report but added that they welcome the chance to resolve the complaints against them.