ACT-CIS party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo (File photo from Senate PRIB / Bibo Nueva España)
MANILA, Philippines — ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo reminded the government on Tuesday to fulfill its promise of higher grocery discounts for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) and to make the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) expand its coverage to members.
Tulfo made the follow-up during the hearing of the House Committee on Ways and Means on Tuesday.
He sought updates from Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which earlier vowed to House Speaker Martin Romualdez that the maximum grocery discounts for seniors and PWDs would be increased from P65 to P125 within March.
Currently, seniors and PWDs get only a 5 percent discount on groceries, for a maximum discountable amount of P1,300 per week.
This current situation means even if purchases exceed P1,300, the discount will still stay at 5 percent of P1,300, which is equivalent to P65.
Romualdez and other lawmakers previously asked that the discount be increased since the present discount of P65 was no longer attuned to higher costs of living.
“During the meeting last week [between] the speaker and I, [and[ the DTI undersecretary, it was agreed upon that these discounts will commence around end of March,” Tulfo remembered.
“I think you’re already working on it,” he said.
“It has to be given by the end of March because it was already released in the newspapers that the discounts will be given to senior citizens and PWDs — the P500 discount,” Tulfo emphasized.
In response, DTI Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau Director Marcus Valdez said the new document on the higher discounts will be distributed to different government agencies.
Tulfo then questioned Valdez if DTI will be able to heed the scheduled implementation of the higher discounts.
Valdez replied that they cannot speak for other agencies.
“Yes, Mr. Chair, I confirm that it’s already been circulated in the news and the draft is being circulated with the member agencies in the joint administrative order, as well as other agencies for their comments,” the DTI official said.
“This will be subject to public consultation as well, Mr. Chair,” he added.
“So, what you’re saying is we are not ready to give this P500 towards March, end of the month?” Tulfo asked once more.
“Because when we had a meeting with the Undersecretary of DTI, and they were saying they are preparing it towards March, ma-implement na ‘yon (it will already be implemented),” the lawmaker specified.
“Yes, Mr. Chair, I confirm the schedule. It’s just that I cannot answer for the heads of agencies as to when they will sign it,” Valdez answered.
He added DTI is coordinating with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Energy (DoE) on the enforcement of the increased discount.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Consumer Affairs Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, meanwhile, said public consultations are scheduled on March 11 and 12 to assess the proposed higher discounts.
Concerns about the small discounts given to seniors and PWDs were brought up during the committee’s previous hearing.
There were allegations that several businesses and establishments had a false interpretation of the discounts.
The discounts are based on the Expanded Senior Citizens Act (Republic Act No. 9994).
Zamboanga Sibugay 1st District Representative Wilter Palma relayed to the committee his experience in a mall near Fairview, Quezon city on Saturday.
Palma narrated that while he and his wife were buying groceries, he was surprised to learn that despite the huge cost of their purchases, the discount was capped at only P65.
It was then revealed that, based on the Joint DTI-DA Administrative Order No. 10-02 series of 2010, seniors can enjoy a special discount of 5 percent for their groceries.
But this is provided that the “total amount of said purchase shall not exceed the amount of P1,300 per calendar week.”
Promise from PhilHealth
Tulfo also asked PhilHealth about its promise to Romualdez that the coverage for hospital bills and professional fees of patients will rise from just 30 percent to 50 percent.
“You have funds. Then, you have a subsidy from the national government,” he said.
“In our calculation, PhilHealth can afford to shoulder 50 percent of the cost of hospitalization and professional fees,” the lawmaker told PhilHealth officials.
“Having patients to shoulder 70 percent is heavy,” he observed.
On February 14, PhilHealth said it was open to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s proposal of a 50 percent coverage for members admitted to private hospitals.
According to PhilHealth president Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., they may even raise the amount to 50 percent in the future.